Try not to worry about whether they’ll like you. Before they arrive, resist the urge to tidy up – a little mess can seem less scary. Remember they may be frightened or storm-cloud-angry or desperately missing their mum. Let them show you how they do everything: hugs, bedtime stories, snacks, bathtime, playing. Learn what their normal looks like. Offer new experiences, like making pancakes or eating mango or blowing bubbles or building sandcastles. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Expect to have boundaries tested (it’s how small humans work out what feels safe). Encourage them to play dress-ups with your shoes, bang on the piano, feed the rabbits, set the table. When someone at the grocery store asks if the toddler clinging to you is your child, smile and say just borrowing them for the weekend, because yes, it’s a rude question, but kids need to see kindness. Take photos; their mum is probably missing them, and you can soothe that, a little. When the case worker says mum won’t be needing respite care anymore, don’t think about how you didn’t know that last weekend was the last weekend. Wish you’d been able to say a big enough goodbye to last for always. Think about them, often. Delete the photos from your phone, because their story is precious but it’s no longer yours to hold.