I Said "No."

Last Friday, a DSS social worker called me at work. When I read the caller ID, I knew what the call was about.

"This is it." I thought. "This is your daughter."

As it turns out, once you're an approved foster/adoption parent, DSS social workers will try to place any child with you - regardless of the specifications that you've given.

I've asked for an African-American, female child, ages 8 to 10. However, I've agreed to be an "emergency" foster parent. This means I'd accept any gender, race or age if there's a child needing immediate shelter.

That wasn't the case.

The child in question is a 12 year old, African-American boy. He has ADHD and he takes medicine for it. He won't go to school, and he won't listen to his mother. [We presume the mother is a single parent.] His mom was so frustrated, she called DSS and told them to come and get the child. She no longer wanted him in her home.

That statement alone broke my heart. My brain screamed, "No! No! Nonononononono!" But my heart twinged. And then I heeded my better sense.

If this child refuses to listen to his own mother, there's absolutely nothing that I can do for him. And what if he's 5'10 and weighs 205 lbs? On my best day I'm 5'3. There's no way that child would even respect me as his authority.

So I declined.

This is a glaring reminder that I need to stop playing and finish preparing my home. I need more furniture in my child's room. (But in my defense, I've been on business travel for 1 consecutive month.)

Journey continues.