tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post1366641158151332393..comments2023-09-23T02:16:11.746-06:00Comments on Thoughts from a Foster Family: Case Plan -- sort ofYondallahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10375966725096729570noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-57428371774303039642008-06-04T22:03:00.000-06:002008-06-04T22:03:00.000-06:00Oh, yah, I'm still around. I still read everyone. ...Oh, yah, I'm still around. I still read everyone. I just lay low.<BR/><BR/>Schillinger Dad is the reason for the silence. In March, Huckle and I were approached by a shaved-head, tatooed man (not like the guys I usually fall for, though, although that used to be my type -- this was the Aryan Nation style, not the hot boys who are balding and so chose to shave it down rather than show the world their hairline going) who obviously knew Huckle before he came to live with us. He got a good look at me and I think he followed me to my car (I tried to lose him, but v. hard to do while carrying a 50 pound boy). Schillinger dad is up for parole right now so the decision could come in any day, and I'm quite paranoid about the possibility of his release, because it is about 100% that he'll come looking for Huck, if his previous statements are any indication. <BR/><BR/>But I have a now-activated security system, a police-style launching Taser (no guns in our house), Lexapro, Xanax, and a razorknife taped on top of 7 doorframes (I painted them white so they'd blend in -- so very Martha-goes-wacko) so that I'm never far from a weapon but Huckle can't get to them.<BR/><BR/>Some days I think I'm overestimating the threat, then other times I'm asking the cop five doors down if he'd be able to park his police car in front of our house overnight...<BR/><BR/>So, yah, that's what's up. I was thinking I'd post about it soon. That stuff, and the whole TX FLDS situation, too. That was bananas.Maerlowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12045052250287649750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-53614274028279165092008-06-04T07:47:00.000-06:002008-06-04T07:47:00.000-06:00Maerlowe!It's great to see your name. I miss your ...Maerlowe!<BR/><BR/>It's great to see your name. I miss your blog. Good to know you're still around.Yondallahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10375966725096729570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-5839299881963053012008-06-04T07:38:00.000-06:002008-06-04T07:38:00.000-06:00I'm going to guess that it is the "ornery, loud, a...I'm going to guess that it is the "ornery, loud, and irritable" part that is keeping the visits supervised. That way, you won't be in the direct line of fire, and neither will Gary. It is a lot easier to hang up the phone when someone's having a fit than walk away (when you're a kid w/o another driver on hand stuck at the zoo or something). Especially if Dad doesn't follow up on his reunification plan and starts to get agitated about it, I think it is good for Gary to have an escape plan during visits.Maerlowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12045052250287649750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-80006367191771971562008-06-03T15:05:00.000-06:002008-06-03T15:05:00.000-06:00Oh- I thought his visits weren't supervised. :(Oh- I thought his visits weren't supervised. :(Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367614478917963052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-58026298274662145342008-06-03T14:23:00.000-06:002008-06-03T14:23:00.000-06:00Hmmm. To be honest, I'm guessing there's somethin...Hmmm. To be honest, I'm guessing there's something a lot bigger that has happened or is happening here. <BR/><BR/>States and bio-parents typically argue for the least restrictive environemnt (its federally mandated to do so), and that includes unsup'd visitation unless there's substantial reasoning not to.<BR/><BR/>Is Dad mentally ill? Perhaps drug addicted/involved? It sounds like there's more too it than what you know, or maybe you do know and just can't share.<BR/><BR/>Either way, it sounds like the state is attempting to manipulate the situation to deter Gary's Dad and encourage Gary in the perm placement situation with you guys. <BR/><BR/>IMO, sounds good. I still have trouble respecting the man in some senses. Not becasue he had his son removed because of the danger to the younger kids, I commend him for that. I hate that it happened, but that's life. Stepmom & other sibs have the right to a peaceful safe home just like Gary does. Its sad that it couldn't be together, but that's just life.<BR/><BR/>I don't respect him because of his "stunt"- jerking Gary around emotionally to salve his own broken ego/bruised conscience. It irks my nerve.Stacie Guesswork (aka Mrs Butter B)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17009516649727981277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-90380225220530616142008-06-03T08:43:00.000-06:002008-06-03T08:43:00.000-06:00Julie, Things are not more restrictive than they h...Julie, Things are not more restrictive than they have been. For the past 11 months Gary has been in a group home and his father has only been allowed supervised visits at the home's visiting room. So that is the same.<BR/><BR/>It is less in that they now can call each other whenever they like. They don't have to go through a staff person who can say that it is or is not a good time for a call.Yondallahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10375966725096729570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-51315646846086340302008-06-03T08:34:00.000-06:002008-06-03T08:34:00.000-06:00I agree with Jo- good plan for Gary- tough for dad...I agree with Jo- good plan for Gary- tough for dad- I am sad that things are MORE restrictive than they were before- but I guess they don't know what he will do. I hope Gary takes it okay. Love him well- that is all you can do.Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367614478917963052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21112957.post-40243771826494920182008-06-03T07:54:00.000-06:002008-06-03T07:54:00.000-06:00A reminder why foster parenting is a very difficul...A reminder why foster parenting is a very difficult job. It sounds like a good plan for Gary at least, some stability and some room to grow at your place, and at the same time, letting Gary's dad show what he is willing to do.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530972001172936718noreply@blogger.com