through a child's eyes

Who tells the child they will never see their mother again? HOW do you tell a child this? I asked a co-worker. She said the person they are closest to should tell them. The foster mom told the boys, a woman where the girl resides told her. I haven't heard back from them on how it went, but today was their weekly visit with dad. I sat in another toom to listen to the conversation, to see how dad handled it. The youngest, who will be 5 in a few days, blurts out 'mom's gone'. The girl, 8, said 'I know and I'm upset'.
The other boy said I know why she left. I though oh, gosh, here it comes. I thought things would go bad then, but he said 'cuz she loves us'. I think the foster mom did a good job! Funny to see things through a child's eyes.
Dad, who is ...let's say limited, seemed to handle it well. I sat there and thought, maybe we are wrong, how can we terminate a parent's rights? But logic took over emotion and I know the kids couldn't be safe at home, not without someone there every minute. Ever seen the movie I am Sam? Hits a little too close to home.
It's funny, I look at professions I wouldn't want to do, like driving a car carrier, but who would want mine?

could you do it?

Today the mother of 3 children on my caseload surrendered her rights. They are in foster care and have been for over a year. She moved across the country in January. She wanted to surrender her rights to them, she knows she can't take care of them. Can you imagine?
She can't face them, doesn't want a goodbye visit. We have to tell the kids. 8,7 and almost 5. How will that child feel?
I'm such a cry baby myself. She was sobbing. The judge asked her if she understood it meant she wouldn't ever see her kids agin. She said yes. I had to count things inthe court room to keep from crying.
Did she take the easy way out?
Sometimes I hate parts of this job.