Saturday 22 March 2014

Tribute to a Foster Mum


My husband and I were scared witless the first time we met Digger’s foster mum. Rosa didn’t make eye contact with either of us and her body language was closed, hostile even. Both arms wrapped tightly across her soft bosom.

When she eventually did look at us she memorably said: ‘I am not going to hand over Digger to some cold, heartless middle-class couple.’ Well, that put us in our place.

Her apparent hostility came from a place of love. She, more than any one in the room, had Digger's interest at heart. We saw that. And we knew how important getting her approval would be.

My husband broke the ice several times with bad jokes that could release some nervous laughter. Eventually she let down and approved us with the words: ‘I have a good feeling about this. It will be ok.’

When we met the next time – to set out the introduction itinerary – we were happy to see her again. Eager to hear more news and details of the little man, who was to become our son. And she readily shared all sorts of Digger vignettes with us.

Introductions began smoothly. Despite the fact that we were very nervous, having worked ourselves up over the entire morning. We parked the car outside her house, got out and heard a familiar voice above us ‘Halloooouuu. Digger, that’s your mummy and daddy. Say Haaallloooouuu…’ we looked up and there he was. Our gorgeous son. On Rosa’s hip. Looking puzzled. But curious.

We entered her small, immaculate flat under a stream of meaningless, welcoming words, and she then handed Digger straight to me.

I think my heart stopped for a little while… He rested his head on my chest. Softly. Gingerly. Rosa was surprised.

‘He never does that. Really. He has never done that before with someone he doesn’t know.’

My husband and I were reassured. So Digger wasn’t overfamiliar with everyone. It must have been the fine work she had done of reading the Tomy book every day, umpteen times a day, since it was given to her ten days earlier, after Matching Panel.

She had also put up A4 print outs of the two of us all over the flat. By Digger's cot, in the living room and in the kitchen. Very thoughtfully she had even put many on the kitchen cabinets. Digger crawling height.

We stayed a little longer than the allocated hour. Then drove home in a daze new emotions. We hardly slept that night.

Introductions went in a flurry of activity. For me, the keyword for the whole exhausting, bewildering week was trust. We all felt it, and it helped transition enormously. Not least for Digger.

Rosa’s love for Digger was plain to see. And it warmed us to her even more. She knew him. She was so warm, gave him great cuddles, made him giggle, knew all his likes and dislikes, and could comfort him effortlessly. I loved what I saw, but admittedly, I also felt very insecure in her presence. I was only a mother on paper. Not yet in my heart.

Rosa gave me lots of good advice, and showed me all the ropes. She taught me a few things that I still do, and that remind me of that special week. The most impressive lesson she gave me – almost in passing – was to let this little 10-month-old creature ask for help himself. It happened, one time when he was trying to raise himself up, but was struggling and audibly frustrated. I would have rushed to help him. But she just held out her hand, close to him, but not in the way:

“Oh boy, Digs, you are fighting to get up, aren’t you. Oh deary me, that does look frustrating. If you need a hand, just says so. See, my hand is right here. To help you if you like. Just take it if you need it.’

He tried a bit more on his own, and then took her hand. His little legs just weren’t quite strong enough yet. But it taught me a big lesson. Wait.

During that whole week of introductions, Digger wasn’t really all that interested in me, but he looooooooooved his new dad.

The rapport between Digger and Pierre, my husband, was instant and heartfelt. I couldn’t have been more pleased. Perhaps it happened so fast because Rosa was single. Put simply there was room for a man, a daddy figure. But not for a mummy. Digger already had a mum. I felt a strong urge to hold him and get on with my new role, but was also relieved to be able to step back a bit. I could observe him from a safe distance. In effect hide behind my husband. I reckoned there would be plenty of time for me to be mummy (indeed only a couple of weeks later, I was definitely the main person, and daddy was left out in the cold for a while). Also, I really didn’t want to tread on Rosa’s toes.

Rosa was great, and – looking back – unbelievably supportive of us both. If Digger fell, she would encourage him to go to us for comfort, but never ever refuse him consolation. He did get confused about who to go to. But then she would elegantly scoop him up, kiss and cuddle him, and then hand him to either of us. Reassuring him as she did so. ‘It’s ok. I’m right here.’ Big smiles and maybe a pad on his back, while on our arms.

Gradually, during the week, we had been bringing Digger’s stuff home to our house. I felt like I was stealing it all away from her. I felt guilty and weird about it. Rosa was professional and very helpful, although it cannot have been easy for her. One day when she brought him to stay with us for the day, he had thankfully fallen asleep on the way, and so she was visibly relieved to be able to hand him over, and drive off. The stresses of the week were beginning to show on her too.

Then the final day came. Digger was coming home with us. For good. The atmosphere in Rosa’s flat was so thick, that you could cut the air with a knife. Rosa asked for a final hug with Digger, in the privacy of her living room. The rest of us gathered in the hallway.

I will never forget the sound of the cry she let out, when she held him in her arms for the last time as her foster son. The boy she had loved as her own, since he was only a couple of days old. It was quiet but piercing.

The social worker present and I both cried. But Pierre stood firm. This was all in Digger’s best interest, he said. So it was Pierre, daddy, who carried Digger out of the flat. A puzzled and visibly sad Digger.

Then our new life began.

We didn't see Rosa for a few weeks. When we did, she cried. She didn’t want to. But it felt real and appropriate. Digger was happy to see her, but confused about the new baby. This was the first of many visits. And of many more to come. The foster mum and her family is part of our future.

I feel very privileged to have met her. And very lucky that we all get on so that we have been able to continue to see her. And that we live close enough to do so. We meet around Digger’s birthday, Christmas and in between.

The opportunity to integrate the early part of Digger’s life into his life with us is a gift. And one I think that will help Digger’s sense of self. A little part of me wish we could do the same with his birth mother, but I know why that is impossible. Still that doesn't stop me thinking in a better world it might have been.

Digger is relaxed with Rosa in a way I have not seen him with any one else. She knows him. I wonder whether it is that he reacts to, or whether he still recognises her as a safe haven. I think the latter. But does it matter?

Rosa is an extraordinary person. Savvy, generous and empathetic. She has that extra room in her heart. That extra capacity for putting yourself in someone else's shoes. It is a special gift to be able to foster. One I am not sure I've got. But she has in buckets. There is no doubt that she taught Digger was love is. And we benefit from it every day. My respect and admiration for her knows no boundaries.


3 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for that - made me cry a lot! :-)

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  2. Oh my. It's ok, i've just got something in my eye...
    Mx

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  3. Thank you, Suddenly Mummy and Mumdrah. x
    I'm still happily surprised when people read my blog. I feel I've only just begun to express what Rosa means to our family. And my admiration for FC full stop! xx

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