Foster Care

Rumor warned against becoming foster parents of older children while having younger children. That's the advice I'd heard for years. Younger children can't always express their feelings or what's going on, and sometimes it's just easier on everyone if the ages of the children in the home either match or you become a foster parent after they have all gotten older. Sadly, that was my mindset for quite awhile. And with a toddler and two elementary school kids, I stuck pretty firmly with that. But then everything changed with just one phone call. One Phone Call, One Emergency My best friend, Cassie, works at DSS, monitoring foster care cases. At times, Lake and I had thought about becoming foster parents. After all, we have this… [more]

One of the coolest things about the month of November is that it is National Adoption Month. I love that there is a whole month dedicated to the children who have been adopted, the parents that have adopted and the children who are waiting to be adopted. Adopted, adopted, adopted. I love to throw that word around. And this November that is exactly what we all should be doing. There is no better way to let people know about the need prevalent in foster care than to tell about your own experience with fostering and adoption. There is a lot of fear around these two actions. It is not unfounded. Adoption from foster care brings many unknowns into a home. Yet, there are… [more]

As I sit here thinking this morning, I cannot help but bring focus on the huge need for foster parents today. There are so many children in need of solid, stable homes and so few prepared to stand in this gap. It takes a lot of dedication, sacrifice and strength to place yourself in a situation that will be trying. If you know that it will be difficult going into it, healthy fear sets in. I use the word healthy before fear because it is accurate. There is not service to be found in walking into a foster care situation without the ability to handle it. An honest look at fostering, from someone who has done it, will show that their are daily… [more]

I think that one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of watching was a foster mother who intentionally opened her life to foster teens in her area. I have never seen a  woman so willing to deal with the issues and baggage that a teen brings home in order to change a life. This woman used to tell me that her goal was to ensure that the teenagers in her care were given the opportunities that they needed for success. She not only made sure that they got the services that they needed, she also sat with them and made sure that their fully understood their responsibilities. This was good for the teens in her care because… [more]

1. A huge life! That is my goal for all of the kids under my care. I desire it to the very core of my being and live a major portion of my life making it so. That is how every foster parent should feel about the kids that they are caring for. I think if I could give one message to the world it would be that every kid deserves happiness- true happiness. Imagine a world filled with children who know beyond a shadow of a doubt that theya re valued and loved. The thought brings joy to my heart. Though I cannot change every kids life, I can change the ones that are mine (whether it just be for a season.)

I have found that I do not play well with others. This may come as a surprise to some of you who know me. I appear to be the one who has the world by the tail. That is true- to a point. I do enjoy life and the people that I am walking with every day. I see no other way to live. Yet, there are hard times. Life is tricky. It is difficult to maneuver. The children in my home can wear me out. They are a constant drain on my emotions. I work harder keeping this family afloat then I have ever worked at anything. That is why I do not play well with others. When I get time… [more]

I am not certain how many children have started school again but I am guessing that many of your children have or will within the next week. School is such a great time. I have always enjoyed learning and assume that my children do as well. It always breaks my heart to hear a child say that they hate school. Yet, a lot of foster children are in this predicament. The lack of stability in their lives has left large gaps in their ability to learn and they have lost hope in themselves. Foster parents see this every day. The children that come in their homes are plagued with poor school performance. They do not seem to have the capacity to handle the… [more]

That is the question that I am mulling over currently as I look to the new school year. I have one child that has not 'got it' educationally. She doesn't read yet. She doesn't write well. Her math skills are mediocre. So, do I put her to work on an I Pad? I just don't know. Most of the kids that come out of foster care have been surrounded by the television and other screens. This is not always the case but often. The I Pad has a lot to offer. The technology is great but my concern is that unless I 'unplug' her- she won't get it. I realize that I could potentially be sparking a huge debate here. I am not… [more]

It is almost time to begin thinking about school again. The shelves of the local stores are filling up with crayons, paper and pencils. The parental itch to have the routine of the fall and winter months is starting to move. I see the look in people's eyes when they are shopping. The suiting up is about to start. I have to be honest, I love school. I love to read. My favorite thing to do is shop for dictionaries. So imagine how difficult it was for me when my foster children came and didn't have the same love that I possessed. In fact, many of them hated school and all that it involved. I have found that many children struggle in… [more]

I am sitting in a very hot room waiting for a pack of teenagers to head my way. I am their teacher. I look forward to every moment of that teaching time but I have to admit, I am relishing the quiet of this room to collect my thoughts before I am overtaken. Teens are an interesting bunch. They have so much energy and a certain power that resides in their youth. I think that is why many people covet the teen years and wish them back. If the teen years are good, they are very good. If they are not- they are terrible. This is where foster teens struggle. They are in what some would call the prime of their lives and… [more]