Moe's reunification plan

I was in a Family Group Conference for 3 hours on Tuesday discussing the plans for Moe's case. I was invited in by Moe's parents and family. I felt privileged.

We sat around with CPS and basically talked about what the future holds for our little Moe. It was interesting to say the least. I am still in strong belief that he belongs with his father. I don't know if that will ever change but for now I am in favor of that path. And that is still the path that CPS is following also.

We did get visits moved up to two hours a week for the father, which I am so thankful for. I hated seeing them only getting one hour a week to bond! NOT HAPPENING! I also got permission granted to invite Moe's father on family outings "unsupervised" (other than by us) so that he can see how we interact with him and how to take care of his son. Who better to role model for him than the parents that have raised his son for the past year. He was beaming! So happy that he is getting to spend extra quality time with his son. Makes my heart happy.

I have seen his father grow so much in the past year it's unbelievable. I didn't think it really could happen in the beginning... but over time that thought changed. I then KNEW he could do it and started giving him that "go get 'em" attitude and you could see the cloud lift and he started succeeding and completing all of his plans. I really feel that he just needed someone to believe in him and to know that we were not against him and that we would not fight him for his son. We were simply a stand-in until they got it together.

He and the mother ended up going separate ways (when Moe was 3 months old), which I have to say I think that was the best decision on both their parts. I think they can be wholly committed to Moe better if they are not distracted with the conflict between the two of them. I usually am in favor of couples staying if it is strong and healthy. This was NOT! They wanted to play house because they had a baby... that lasted about a month at tops. Not my idea of strong NOR healthy.

So I am seeing progress and we are in the process of pre-transitioning. In the next three months they want to start the real transition. We will see how it all plays out. I will be babysitting for the father I believe. YAY! I will still get to see my Moe baby regardless. I think I have a better chance of keeping in contact with him if he stays here near us. The mother lives about 4 hours away from here. Not highly likely to keep communication either. It has happened once that they took him and never let me know a thing. That is the hardest part of saying goodbye; is only when it is forever!

We have our first long visit with dad at a park today... with cps supervisor. I am excited!