Ages ago my sister had me babysit my niece and nephew. The kids were already in bed when I got there. Not long after my sister and brother-in-law left my niece started asking for things. She was a master at sleep avoidance. Having babysat them many times before I knew her requests weren't real needs... they were just tactics to delay bedtime. So, I took a tactic of my own and ignored her.

After several unanswered requests my quiet, sensitive nephew started to get concerned. He called for me and/or his mother. When that went unanswered he said to his sister "We're all alone. What to do, what to do?"

Obviously I went upstairs after that. And I'm happy to report these kids have reached adulthood unscathed. I don't think I caused any permanent damage.

Today my nephew's words have been ringing in my memory. What to do, what to do? Most of my host family group has made the switch to the other agency (henceforth known as the OA). I spoke to the OA back in December and was told I needed to have a very large sum of money in my personal savings before they would accept me. I chalked it up as impossible and moved on.

After finding out the news that at least some of our kids are still in the orphanage last Friday, my agency coordinator recommended I switch. So, I'm exploring switching to the OA again. And I'm not happy about it.

My agency has made mistakes. But I just don't believe that the latest confusion with the patr*nat vs. orphanage situation is their fault. It's uncharted territory in a way. They've never dealt with a long period of being unaccredited before and they've never dealt with a large group of kids embroiled in a politically and emotionally charged situation. So, though there have been mistakes, I don't really blame my agency. In fact, I still like my agency and really, really trust and like my coordinator.

The OA on the other hand rubs me the wrong way. They are the adoption equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. But, if they can get my son, maybe it's worth it.

The JCICS has sent out a list of agencies still awaiting accreditation listed in the order they're supposed to get accredited. My agency is high up on that list. But, my coordinator said since the MOE has gone out of order before we shouldn't pin too much hope on that.

What to do, what to do.