The Good, The Bad... The Ugly

I'm feeling frustrated with the system and so I'm just going to list a few things that aren't so fun about fostering...
1. We've had Little Man for 7 months and the visitation schedule has changed roughly 5 times. When it changes, it does so immediately. Not only is it hard for us to adjust, the poor little guy never gets to be comfortable in a routine, which is so important for his emotional health. The current schedule for him is: Visit with mom after school for one hour every other Monday, one hour visit with mom at library after school every Tuesday there isn't a visit on Monday, one hour after school Wednesday visit with mom and brother at DHS then 3 hours with his Partner, Thursday Family therapy after school for 1/2 hour, one hour mental health appointment varying times once a week (sometimes during school hours) and Friday through Sunday off. Doesn't anybody besides us see this as TOO MUCH for a 7 year old? When do we eat dinner, do homework, relax, have fun? Sheesh. We entered him in the school's talent show and he missed 5 out of 7 practices because of this schedule. Where's the normalcy?
2. We aren't allowed to take him on a vacation if it means he will miss a visit with him mom. So far this has meant that he missed out on going with us to New Jersey and Michigan. Not the most exciting places, but it would have been fun for him to take a trip with us. Again, normalcy?
3. Often times, as foster parents, we are treated as though we don't matter one bit. Phone calls to case workers are not returned, opinions are asked but not given much thought to and teachers complain about the flip flop schedule without considering how hard it is on us.
4. We get only $11 a day and $88 a year for clothes. Unless you are a bad parent, this doesn't cover all the expenses.

The only good side to all of this is the Little Man. He's an angel and I love him. I'd do it all again in a heartbeat for him.