A summary of the day

Some of the fostering tasks I did today were:

• Responding to emails about fostering training.
• Attending the Personal Education Plan meeting (PEP).
• Making our daily recordings.
• Attending SATs meeting at school.

Some things my foster child and I did together today were:

• Singing along to the radio and the quiz at 8.10 a.m. which we do each day.
• Sharing personal care tasks.
• Completing homework.
• Attending PEP meeting at school together.
• Chatting about her day and her plans.

"I really enjoyed today as I had my drum lesson and after-school club."

The best part of my day/thing that happened today was:

Our foster daughter felt confident enough to style her hair and to come into her PEP meeting at school.

Something I found tough today was:

Fitting everything in. I nearly cancelled my volunteering, but it's something for me, and I was glad I didn't. Not every day is this busy!

Some other things that are coming up this week are:

• A catch up with our Supervising Social Worker.
• Helping out at the school's coffee morning.
• A family birthday party; our son is 30!

Since becoming a foster carer, the biggest way my days have changed is:

I always have something to plan or to do. I am as busy as I was at work, but find it more rewarding.

I mostly find that as a foster carer

• There is lots of variety - every day is different.
• I feel so proud of the child in my care as she is developing in confidence, enjoying life and planning for her future.
• I feel I am doing something very rewarding and get pleasure from the role.

My number one tip for adjusting to life as a foster carer is:

Each day is a new day. Take things slowly and enjoy the small things; they build up to be big things.

*names have been changed for safeguarding purposes.