I dont know where to start really.
I screwed up really badly and some of you will already know that as you know Jammie. I was his foster mum. i let him down when i had promised not too.
I want to make things right and I need help and advice to do that. I want to offer him the home he wants and needs and most importantly what he deserves. I dont want to hurt him again and I dont want to get hurt again either. We are very similar to each other with the way we feel and react to things.
We have decided to try and give things a go, so we have decided to go away at half term. him me and my 8 year old son. I am terrified about screwing up and him not wanting anything to do with me again.
So does anybody have any words of wisdom they can give me please.
It seems both you and jammie want to rebuild the relationship. Having been through something similar, and managed to fix a relationship here are my thoughts. These apply equally to you and jammie.
1) Fix it because you want to, not because you feel you should. If you really want to fix it you will find a way.
2) Draw a line under the past. Accept that mistakes were made on both sides and agree not to dwell on them. This is the best policy for a fresh start.
3) Accept that it is not going to be perfect. We all have off days, we all make mistakes. We all let people down. The correct course of action when that happens is to admit the mistake as soon as possible and do everything possible to make it right. Admitting when you are wrong is difficult, but makes relationships much easier.
4) You hurt the ones you love. This is particularly the case with people who are very similar in aspect as you will see your own flaws reflect it and it will drive you crazy. The only solution is to try and have a bit more insight into yourself so that instead of reacting with anger, you react with understanding.
5) Keep working at it. Don't feel there is only one chance. All successful realtionships require continuous effort, and communication (the hardest part). Patience and compromise are both hard, but they are necessary to make it work.
I wish you both the best of luck.