Foster The World

A foster parent - here to learn

[foster-the-world]

Bad day and...

Had a bad day. Baby boy is a mess, again. He cannot handle anything fun/out of the ordinary. Today was awards/party day for the whole class. He was terrible. Super unregulated. And it spilled over into everything afterward because once he's a mess its hard to come back. Tmrw is his graduation ceremony. Dreading it. So depressing.

Then he's off for the summer. Parent/teacher conference on Monday. So far they've had literally zero complaints about his behavior. Need to find out if he's really only bad when we are there for school events. If that's the case then maybe we don't go to the events anymore. It's def not good for him to be so unregulated. Its depressing that we are what make him act terribly. I don't want to miss fun school events for my kid. He would def notice we weren't there and be sad about it. But I don't think he would be as sad as he gets when he's so out of control. I know it doesn't feel good for him.

Then my brother texted to ask if we can talk tonight. We get along but never talk on the phone. He said "It's not an emergency and not even bad news." I don't see how it can be good news. I assume something worrisome about my parents. Today's not a good day for more bad news but unfortunately life does not let you pick. I tried calling right now but no answer. I don't want to have my "you had a bad day treat" until I get this call over with.

Our good friend has her double mastectomy Monday. They go home on Tuesday. As they are walking in the door they get a call that the husband's mom is in the ER because she had a stroke. He's an only child. He had to leave the wife and kids to go help his mom.

In happier notes - Baby boy got the smile maker award - including some very cute/kind word about how he makes everyone in the whole school smile. He ran into both of our arms as soon as we arrived - which is always a nice feeling.

[foster-the-world]

AI free spirit?

Why would someone use AI (clearly) when going on and on about starting an eco-farm to live away from society?

Influencers using AI to write annoying shit drives me mad.

[foster-the-world]

Bodega Currency

Bee asked for the Egyptian currency I had sitting on the table. Its not a lot in USD so I said sure. I overheard her telling her Dad she was going to see if the Egyptians at our Bodega would accept it. HA! HA! Smart Kid.

Rebel came into the living room with a minor paper cut with some blood. She shows me and then right in front of my eyes wipes the blood on the couch. WTH? What would possess a person? I gave her time to get a bandaid and then she is going to do some scrubbing of the couch.

Trying to decide if we wake the girls up to see the end of the Knicks game tonight. Everyone in our neighborhood will be out and about. I think will go check out the scene and then decide.

[foster-the-world]

We are going to learn our states this summer. Currently accepting nominations for "Worlds Coolest Mom".

[aichu-dechu]

[foster-the-world]

Feel this

[madisoncounty]

LIBERATION Tony Award Winner for Best Play (2026)

[foster-the-world]

I really loved this play so much.

My husband took our girls to see The Lost Boys today. They were not afraid - as I suspected. Rave reviews from all.

[foster-the-world]

Will it work?

I got ingredients to make peach cobbler but really don't have that kind of energy. Told my husband this information and it did not entice an offer, unfortunately for me. Sent him a text with a recipe for a three minute peach cobbler. Let's see how this works out for me. I think he'll go for it because 1. He's nice to me and 2. The man can't hear about food without wanting to eat it.

Watched the Micheal Jackson verdict documentary. Those poor children. I assume he probably did but even if not their parents really screwed them. I know times were different but how can you think any of it was okay? How can someone think its normal for their child sleep with a grown man regularly.

And while times were different I do not believe people were completely clueless. I remember my mom telling me (after the fact) that she thought it was totally inappropriate that my teenage cousin was friends with some grown man. I don't exactly remember but I think he worked at her high school. She apparently regularly spent time with him alone and considered him a "mentor." The grown man took her to and paid for her Glamour Shots - how weird is that? My mom told my Aunt that was very odd and that she would never leave him alone with me. My Aunt claimed it was because my cousin and her Dad often fought - so this man was some kind of replacement father figure. Buying her Glamour shot??? Um, no. Big no.

Finally decided we are going to drive to the Maine Coast for our long weekend away without the kids. I did a lot of hemming and hawing about options but am excited. Excited to avoid the airport even if the drive is a little longer then I would like. Hoping to get a beachside hotel.

Best weekend in a long time for baby boy. Only four more days of Kindergarten. How???

Totally cleaned the girls room. Bee removed everything from under the bed - def including somethings that should not be under a bed (a plate of half eaten food from who knows when = totally gross). Long overdue. Working on improving their cleaning skills. They are all about speed without any quality - hence why half their shit was shoved under their bed.

[foster-the-world]

Not built for this

I really want to be the house all the kids hang out with but I'm not sure I'm built for it.

I think I maybe too Type A. The girls had a friend over yesterday. I kept correcting my kids the entire time. I heard them tell her they were going to teach her how to pack for sleepaway camp. I knew that meant dumping out all the camp shit that they don't need for for another month.

In my old age I've inherited my mothers neat freak tendencies. I can't deal with the messes. It would be better if I could tell my children to clean up later and expect it to actually get cleaned. They push junk underneath their bed and require me to follow along behind them.

They need to learn/be taught to clean up properly and also they should be able to live in their home - which involves making messes. I need to find a balance.

The friend stayed much longer than I agreed to. I said she needed to leave by 4:30 because the girls had violin lessons at 4:45. Unclear if her parent was involved in not picking her or or she just wasn't calling her Dad when I told her to. She ended up going home at 7:15pm. It was totally fine but Type A me needed a more solid plan.

My kids need to be in bed early.

I'm very happy to pay for and share all of our food - but I'm also a planner. So the last minute visitors eating food I planned for something else gets to me. My type A stuff bringing me down. I need to let it go. We shop most days so its not like its not replaceable.

I'm down to share our food but my kids eat fruit, veggies and other mostly healthy stuff. She asked for a soda - which in our house is only for adults. Our kids only drink soda on vacation. We def do sugar/dessert but not as an every day snack. If we have friends over every once in a while I'll buy fun stuff but if people are coming over everyday they are stuck with the same healthy snacks my kids eat.

Anyway maybe we won't be the house everyone hangs out at.

[catasters]

[thickness-protection-program]

Diva down

[foster-the-world]

What to do? What to do?

My mom and Aunt are coming in to hang with our kids for four days in a few weeks. I still have not booked anything for us to go away.

Was planning on Turks and Caicos. We can use miles to get there but lodging is pricey. We won't want to do any excursions but I'm sure food is also pricey. We won't need a car. Trying to decide if its worth the extra price?? Could also just drive somewhere close. I'm afraid if we do that will end up lazying around instead of it feeling special. We don't get out by ourselves much so don't want to lay in bed. Also, don't want to come back tired. Need a balance of special and relaxing.

Could fly to Bermuda -- which is closer/cheaper but still not cheap and we've been several times. We'd have to rent a car. Could try Georgia or Charleston beaches? Also saw cheap mile flights to Martha's Vineyard or Maine??

Its only a few weeks away so should decide soon.

Baby boy has six days of school left?? How??

[foster-the-world]

Wild

For unknown reasons I'm watching Designing Women. Its mind boggling what was accepted as funny back then. So many things that would be considered inappropriate now. Wild.

[foster-the-world]

Amazed

My fourth graders been grumpy - snapping at us a lot. This entire year this has been a trend. Her normal happy/funny self and then a week/two/three of a reign of terror on everyone in the family. This is an exaggeration but its not enjoyable. We respond with a lot of "Do you want to say that again?" "I don't say yes to request made in that way", etc.

The past three days we emphasized having all three of them in bed by 7:30pm. One of us still reads a chapter of a book and lays with each of them. They are sleep by 8:15ish. It could be a coincidence but she's back to her normal happy self since then. Even on bad days she's asleep by 9/9:30pm- so I'm surprised it made such a difference. Must keep this up.

[foster-the-world]

Party #24

We had baby boys 6th Birthday party today. All went well. Fun kids. He was happy. Paid too much for a play space so that we didn't have to clean up afterwards. At bedtime my daughter pointed out I've planned 24 Birthday parties for three of them. Def more because when they were little we often did one here and one when visiting my parents house.

I was glad she said "Mom planned." My husband def helps - especially during the event and picking up afterward. He would also do any task I ask of him. However, making sure all of their holidays are magical is a me thing. I put all of the thought into the event and make sure all the details happen. Its a lot of work that I generally enjoy but I'm glad to take some credit.

My husband is currently headed out to the bodega to get me my bodega ice cup + soda + candy.

Bee's been grumpy lately - 4th grade stuff, I guess. She's been getting up too early, also. Trying to make sure she's in bed early, eating right and getting one-on-one time with both of us. That's always the trick with her (and probably anyone) but its easy to get away from.

[foster-the-world]

One year

I hate hate hate when people play loud music/shows on the subway without headphones.

I told my children if I EVER heard/saw/found out they did this I would ground them for an entire year. They mostly ignored me but I cannot raise children who think this behavior is appropriate.

[foster-the-world]

I’ve never watched a single basketball game in my life yet I just ordered two Knicks shirts. The excitement in NYC is contagious and want us to join in. I think the girls and I can wear the same size.

I’ve been trying for the $50 nyc resident World Cup tickets. So far, I haven’t gotten through the registration process. Kicked out within three seconds yesterday - it must be bots. At least they are controlling them so they can’t be resold. Plus, I don’t really care that much.

[foster-the-world]

Yesterday baby boy ended up in a game of tag with a bunch of Muslim kids in their beautiful Eid outfits. He was so happy.

Then we ran into a friend from his school that we did not realize lives in our neighborhood. The mom was going on and on about how beautiful he is. She said at least five times “Oh my God he is gorgeous. Have you seen his face. His face is so beautiful.” I think my kids are perfect so I am surprised this is not everyone’s reaction everytime he enters a room. She also said “I see you in his face.” 😂😂 Um, ma’am it is very clear this baby was not made by me.

The girls were going to race him - his favorite activity in the world. Rebel very sweetly asked if they should let him win. I correctly told her I he can beat them both fair and square nowadays. The boy is fast.

They both ended up with skin knees after an accidental tumble. 😭

Overall it was a great night - so very glad the weather has finally changed. Teachers aren’t giving out much homework and after school activities are slowing down. The outside downtime is very much welcome.

Book club is discussing Yesteryear tonight. Great book to dissect.

A family at the park last night had a largish bubble machine. When baby boy went over to join in the father shoe’d him away. So odd. The other kids were probably 3/4yo - he looks 7/8yo so maybe that’s why? But I was watching and he was def not getting in the way of the little kids. Who doesn’t “share” bubbles at a public playground.

[foster-the-world]

Killjoy

Discovered an arts themed middle school that I think my daughter might like. She's the creative type. Its a lottery entry - so no audition. Very diverse. They said some kids are far along in their music skills and others just starting. Small school - only 12 kids in each music class. Lots of other positive things about it. Academics seem good without being too intense. Farther away then I would like but doable. Need to figure out how long teachers stay - I don't want anywhere that teachers are constantly leaving.

They also advertised that 90% of the kids that applied got into one of the arts themed audition based High Schools. My kids enjoy arts but don't have a natural/raw talent. I thought my daughter did very well at her choir solo. I was really impressed with how confident she was. Singing in front of a bunch of people at 9yo is impressive in itself and she sounded good. However, there were other kids who very clearly had natural born gifts. Very, very impressive voices - especially for 9/10yos. I love the idea of them getting to do a ton of fun music/dance/art classes in middle school. However, I don't want them to have grand dreams of the fancy audition based NYC high school or Broadway dreams. I hate to be a kill joy but it just feels like a recipe for disappointment. I also don't want them to be super competitive against their classmates. I want them to do it because its fun.

Anyway, we will probably tour the school. It a nice location/facility. Nice to have lots of fun options.