I remember the 1st day i took in a 14 yr old girl who had run away from 5 previous foster carers . My 1st day as a carer seemed daunting & i worried how can i prevent her from doing same with me . We sat down to talk about house rules which i explained were not just for her 1/2

The rules also included myself & mu husband , through the talks i asked her why she continually ran away from previous carers & she said she would get into a panic mode & just have to take off . I told her if you feel like that here please tell me & i will take off with you 2/3

The following day i was put to the test early morning so i said okay lets go out to the car & we will drive around listening to music until you feel the panic is over . This happened a lot of times over the following 6/7 weeks & i would find myself just driving around music 3/4

blaring . The 8th week it stopped & she no longer panicked & wanted to take off . This girl taught me so much about looking after what others describe as difficult teenagers as i never saw them as difficult just needing ways to overcome what trials & difficulties they faced 4/5

I was lucky that in my time as a carer i cared for over 80 teenagers many of whom are now parents who continue to keep in touch , some written off by social workers , teachers etc went on to pass exams , go to collage etc . I am so proud of them all . These teenagers are not 5/6

Bad they are facing all different things like abuse , parents who can be alcoholics or on drugs , not coping with break up of parents & so many other things which we would all find difficult to deal with . So many teenagers are labelled which imo is wrong . All they need is 6/7

someone to show they are cared about & help them with how to deal with the anger , hurt , betrayel which causes their behaviours to go off the scale . I can say this was 1 of the most rewarding jobs i have ever done . To see someone come into your home lost , feeling hopeless 7/8

self harming , running away , drinking , getting excluded etc but with help they start to learn to respect & love themselves & lay the blame for behaviours at the root of the cause . These teenagers left my home confident & able to deal with life knowing my door was always open .