Ups and Downs

It seems that my emotions have been all over the place lately. I work in a field that comes in during some people's darkest hour. I sat with a mom a couple of days ago as she cried while telling me that she just can't take care of her child anymore. She has a difficult child that justifiably needs intensive mental health treatment and hospitalization, but her agony over deciding that she can not provide him with the love and attention that he needs, was almost unbearable. I cried a few tears myself, trying to maintain my composure. Trying to assure her that she is making a brave decision that is in the best interest of her child, but then I think, how can giving up your child be in their best interest.

I get it, I know why I work for Child Protection and I know why I feel so strongly about what I do, but it doesn't make it easier to justify in a court report why a parent's rights should be terminated. The impact of my words seems so overwhelming. I am learning to accept the good with the bad. I do see lives change and parent's step up for their kids, but I wish sometimes that all the ugliness had a remedy.