Thursday, January 22, 2015

That was the last time I saw her...

"When I was six, I remember I was getting ready for school and my mom was about to drop us off. Four black cars pulled up and they took her away. That was the last time I saw her. And then the same thing happened to my dad. I feel so sad for him being in jail...I don't think he gets enough food." 

How do you respond to a child whose parents have been incarcerated and may not be released for years. How do you tell him that he may be in foster care until he's adopted or turns 21. How do I tell him that he may never be able to build that attachment and trust with his parents or other people in his life.

My heart breaks as a tear rolls down his cheek, worrying about his father and mother in jail. He runs to his foster mother and curls up in her lap. He now has a stomachache. That same stomachache that occurs when we start talking about his biological parents.

Times like this I just listen and observe. Times like this it hurts. So I let him let it out, so that he can grieve.