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Giorgia Castello works for marketing agency, Bamboo. She is married to Peter and lives in North Sydney with their three fostered daughters, Mariaevita (Maria), 4, Aurora (Rory) 2½ and Jakara (9 weeks).
C4K: When and how did you come to foster your girls?
GC: I lived in New York for about seven years, where I met and married my husband (he's a New Yorker) and returned to Sydney about 3 years ago. In the time since we married we have tried to get pregnant but with no success, even after years of fertility treatment and no explanation. Eventually we decided to go down the adoption track, and agreed that the Foster-to-Adopt program would be our best chance in the current Australian adoption landscape. Turns out we were right.
The older two girls are distantly related to me and tragically lost both birth parents within a few days of each other last July. We very quickly put our hands up and offered to care for them. We love them to bits, and are on track for formal adoption over the next year or two.
As a result of our successful first placement, their case worker came forward with an amazing chance to take on a newborn baby girl only a couple of weeks before her birth, about 7 months after we had taken on the older girls, and we happily accepted – amazed to go from no kids to three in such a short time! The baby has been an absolute joy and has made our family feel complete. We are very hopeful that she will be with us for a long time to come.
C4K: How hard was the adoption process and do you have any tips for people going through the system?
GC: It's been so strange for us and incredibly fortuitous - I would never say our story is representative of the norm. We feel incredibly blessed but it's not without heartache. There's no guarantee for anyone fostering to adopt, as there's always a chance that a family member or birth parent will come forward and the focus is very much on restoring children to their biological parents. While our older two girls are with us for the long haul, the baby may be moved along which would just be so tough for us to deal with. That's the nature of the beast. My tip for anyone going through it is to think of it as a long journey, stay positive and - if you can - philosophical about it, and believe that you will have the family that's right for you in the long run.
C4K: You help run a below-the-line (BTL) marketing agency. What exactly is below the line marketing and how did you get into it?
GC: Below the line is pretty much everything except advertising… so it's hugely varied. We do all sorts of different work: from loyalty and rewards to unique promotions and stunts, events, apps and websites: No two days are ever the same, and it's great for people like me who crave change, adventure and ongoing challenges. I get to work with the most incredible team of people as well!
I started out in advertising and found my way to BTL via Sydney, New York, Youth Marketing, brand strategy and pure design.
C4K: How does your business support you as a working mum?
GC: The business runs more like a family than a traditional agency. I've worked with the same business leader on and off since I was about 24 years old, and he has been such a support through the whole process. The business appreciates that wherever I am, I'm working, and I don't take advantage – it's a very human way of handling the balancing act. If I need to duck out because someone's sick, or stay home late after a rough night, they understand and know I will make up the lost time, and ensure the urgent work is delegated appropriately. We're all real with each other and we have a lot of love and respect. I'm very lucky!
C4K: What child care do you use and how does it work for you?
GC: Our older two are in kindy 2 to 3 days a week and the baby is home full time. My husband quit his job just before the third arrived and that has made a massive difference! I also have support from my Mother, a local teenager who comes for a couple of hours two days a week, and the girls' maternal grandmother comes to see us every other week as well, so we have a lot of help beyond formal childcare
C4K: In terms of child care and benefits/regulations etc, have you come across any difficulties being parents of fostered children or is it all pretty straight-forward?
GC: It's one of the best things about foster care – the expenses are all covered by the department and centrelink, and the childcare centre is incredibly understanding about special needs our girls might have because of their unique circumstances. We did find it very frustrating dealing with Centrelink at first, but we found the most incredible woman there who sorted through all the red tape in one phone call! So it was worth the frustration and waiting in the end.
C4K: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a mum?
GC: I'm very committed and loving, and I'm always working to be a better Mum, so I guess that's a strength. I was raised by great parents too, as was my husband, so there's some innate parenting behavior that bubbles out that's a positive too. As for weaknesses, I think I err on the side of being strict rather than permissive and possibly set my expectations too high in terms of what they can do for themselves day to day. I think about helping them grow beyond the stage they're currently in, and I'm trying to slow down and wait for them to be ready for the next leap more often. The baby coming along has really helped me to slow down and enjoy every sweet little moment, because they grow so fast!!
C4K: What 3 things couldn't you do without as a working mum?
GC: My husband, my car, and a whole lot of love.
www.bamboomarketing.com.au
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