Fighting Battles for Our Foster Children

During the appointment, I listened to a lecture from the doctor that was intended for the biological mother. After my thirty minute parenting lecture I then had to supply a written promise to the doctor that I would make sure this foster child would not miss any of his appointments and attend all surgery appointments while he was in my care. Then I had to get prior approve for the surgery from child welfare. A couple of weeks before his... more

One of the major things foster parents struggle with is the constant battle they are put in the position to fight. This alone affects every part of your lifetime, relationships, and your mental and physical health. This is another reason I find it so funny when people and especially biological parents say we are the ones that do not care.

This evening I am on my front porch enjoying the cool country air and oh so tired of the battles that are added to my daily life due to foster care. I have two little faces pressed up to the front glass door watching me. We battle with child... more

There have been some violent and aggressive foster children placed in my home not necessarily by choice. That is something that happens probably on a daily basis to a lot of foster parents. Foster parents do not go asking for violent, aggressive or dangerous foster children. I have not heard from one foster parent that has asked for a foster child that would demolish their home, a child that would harm another child, or to be assaulted in their own home.

In a lot of cases foster parents are not given any, or the needed information on a potential foster child being placed into... more

Taking Responsibility - Biological Parents

Take responsibility and do what needs to be done for your children living in foster care. I have never said or implied that there are not rare cases where children are being removed from homes that may not need to be removed. I personally have never been involved in one like this or know anyone else that has been involved so I cannot speak to that.

Our responsibility as foster parents is to provide care, teach, help them to work through their feelings,... more

Taking Responsibility - Inside a Foster Home

Foster families give up a lot to these foster children that come into their homes for care while someone else decides if, or when, these children can return home. While we understand it is not easy for the foster children, or biological family, this is no cake walk for the foster family.

If the biological parents would put half the energy that is spent hating foster parents and blaming others for their problems that placed them... more

Taking Responsibility

We receive repeated phone calls from the school because of out of control behaviors. You are assaulted by some of these children. Children urinating and defecating around your home and on your personal belongs. We could be dealing with children who are sexually acting out in public, or in front of others. One of my foster sons tried to kill my daughter and added myself to his death wish-list. My daughter had to undergo medical treatment and testing. She is left with the life... more

Foster parents are providing care for children that have been abused or neglected. We are not the ones to put them in the position of needing to be placed into foster care. Sorry, that would be the biological family. Foster parents take on the responsibility of raising foster children that their biological parents are unable to for whatever reason.

Yes, as some like to state that we, as foster parents are paid, but not a salary, as some would like to think. Foster parents are reimbursed for some expenses for the most part. This will range around $350-$630 monthly for basic foster... more

I have never claimed that all biological parents are bad parents, or abuse their children. I myself am also a biological parent. I know a ton of biological parents that are great parents that do not abuse or neglect their children. First, let me clear this up. I am not against biological parents. I am against parents that do abuse or neglect their children and that make the choice to place themselves before their children. I have written blogs when asked... more

Foster Children Living Years in the System

I had a case of a baby that the biological parents were asked about family members at each visit, they responded there was not anyone, but after a year when the termination of parental rights went to court they start throwing names of cousins, sister, aunts, etc that could be an option for the baby. Funny thing is, I do not think these family members appeared overnight.

What made it okay for this baby... more

There is an article about a 12 year old foster boy that has spent nine years living in foster care trapped in the system with no hope for a forever home. After nine years in foster care he was placed into an adoptive placement with members of his birth family. Sadly the adoptive placement fell apart and the boy was returned to foster care.

This case brings up a lot of issues of how things could have been different in this case and how to keep other foster children... more