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HI We had the responsibility of raising the daughters of our former long term foster child. We have been involved in their lives since they were born but they were placed with us in 2002. Lots of adjustments and failures of agencies to recognise their additional needs ... they were and still are complex and requiring support. Teenage years dreadful ... for our health and sanity we had to parent from a distance but never give up on them and always in some form of comtact. Now our young women are so.much stronger. The elder has three children. We have supported through financial and emotional ways; lots of hands on grandparenting. Our younger child will be a mother in early.summer, all being well. Both have grown emotionally closer to us as they matured and we have always been there to help, advise and support though this has been tough at times and it has included making them face up to the consequences of their actions. We are so proud of them for what they have achieved and of their potential to develop further. It has not been easy .. I must have cried a lake full of tears, we have battled through Complaints procedures, we have sought help along the way ( the police have on fact been the most supportive). When they were young children we did build up as many positive memories as we could with them .. outings to parks, zoos, theatres, live music, beaches etc. It pleases me to hear our elder girl say she wants to do the same for her children and actually put it into practice. Johanna x