Person: Where are you from?

Me: I’m from the US.

Person: (:

Me: but I live in China.

Person: 0:

Me: But I’ve been out of the country for over two weeks.

Mom: fine I guess, but don’t tell your dad until you get here so he can’t say no.

Dad: Excuse me, why the fuck did nobody consult me on this cat? I don’t want a cat. There are enough animals in this house.

My parents now that they’ve had the cat for 5 months:

Mom: She literally scratched up my whole face but I think it’s my fault so I did some research and made her some toys.

I can’t make their homophobic mom accept them. I can’t stop their parents from fighting. I can’t convince their dad that they are more valuable than a grade (even though I try my hardest). I can’t make their neighborhood safe or their step-mom love them. I can’t help their mom get sober. I can’t give them a place to sleep every night.

It is heartbreaking and it happens no matter how wealthy or privileged or poor or disadvantaged the kids are. They tell me things and I do everything I can to make them feel safe with and valued by an adult in their life. Especially living in a place that doesn’t even have the minimal systems that exist to help and protect kids in the US.