It is not easy to call and let someone know that your child has completely frazzled you and you need a little break before you can look at them again.

I was so apprehensive because of the humility and rejection I had already felt that I didn’t call that day. What “workers” need to understand is that parents like myself who open there hearts to trauma children are so vulnerable! We take it hard all day every day from our child. There is very little positive interaction most days. It is very isolating. NOBODY wants to have “your kid” over. They have little to no friends, they are little volcanoes always bubbling and ready to project and erupt. It can be so wearing!!! If we make a phone call asking for help, we need it immediately! I swallowed my pride and made a very humbling phone call.
My family was in the darkest of times with our daughter. At the same time my husband was battling cancer for the second time and on a Rigorous chemo schedule. To say life was hard would be an understatement! Amy answered the phone and immediately let me know she was there for me, she understood what I was going through having had foster children In her home herself, she invited me to come up at anytime. We made a agreement that although the family center in Cedar City was not punitive, it would be a good time out for my whole family and would be a good reset the next time my daughter acted out. When that day came I was greeted with a hug by Amy. She showed me the building, let me know my daughters safety was top priority. And just did everything in her power to put my mother heart at ease. Being a mom to a child such as my daughter breaks and respite care and so very needed, but it is not easy on the mom guilt and momma heart. Amy was so wonderful on helping me get through the process. My daughter stayed for 24 hours. The first few times we went to the FSC Amy called and gave me updates on my daughter and again just put my heart and mind at ease.
There was a a period of 2 years where we used the center once a month. We even left our daughter there on one occasion for 5 days. Amy herself took our daughter to her home for a few hours and had her eat dinner with her family so she would not be over the 72 hour time frame. Who does that???
Amy encouraged me to take the trip and helped me recognize how important occasional time with my other 3 children without the constant drama of my daughter was. She helped me see that I was a better mom when I had respite care. It wasn’t a bad thing, I wasn’t a failure, it was an advantage. I knew during hard times that I had a scheduled respite coming up and could and would make it until then. The time my daughter spend there helped her and I get closer. It was a complete reset. When I picked her up after a few days I was able to see her with a lighter heart and mind. It was so wonderful! A lot of growth occurred between her and I because of the gift of respite Amy and staff provided us with.Not once did I ever feel anything but understanding, compassion, and encouragement. On another occasion it was terrible weather. My daughter was scheduled to come up and I just didn’t feel comfortable to drive. Amy insisted and encouraged me to be consistent even though it was hard. She got in her car and started driving towards St.George. She told me to get in my car and she would start driving towards me and meet me half way. I mean who does that??? My daughters time at the FSC was lovely. She loved all the staff. They were always doing activities. She loved that they let her help cook and prepare all the meals. They were always doing some sort of art project or craft. Every time I picked her up she would have a bag of miscellaneous things she had made, and could not wait to show me. I will forever more be indebted to the Cedar City Family Support Center. They carried me through the hardest 2 years of my life!! I could go on and on but I think you get the point. Thank you!