We first got into foster care after trying for 12 years for one last baby. After my second cancer, that was not a possibility. The idea of foster care started off when I kept seeing signs on every street corner saying, “foster parents needed.” I also heard on the news every night that there was a such a desperate need for foster parents, so I convinced my husband that we should look into it and inquire. I used to run an in-home daycare for 10 years, so I knew I wanted to help. At first we were apprehensive, because we were older, but it hasn’t been an issue.
We started fostering 5 years ago in January 2016. We have had 6 placements come through our home, including a set of 3 young siblings, ages 5 days, 3 years and 5 years old. We adopted our son in July 2019, that we had since 5 days old in NICU. He is now 4 years old. His 2 older sisters went back to their grandparents and we remain connected. We are getting ready to adopt our second foster son, whom we have had since 8 weeks old. He turned 3 in December. We also have provided respite care for other foster parents needing a vacation or just a break. The rest of our foster children reunified with their grandparents.
The most rewarding part of fostering has been to see the children come into our home, open up, and come out of their shell after they feel loved, safe, protected and receive lots of attention. They start to thrive and it’s so nice to see their progress. They start to feel so comfortable. They just enjoy being part of a family enjoying the most simple things we all take for granted. It has opened our eyes in a good way, and it has also taught our 2 teenage daughters to be grateful and not to take things for granted.
My advice to new foster parents- Don’t worry about loving the children and losing them to reunification. Our goal is to reunify them with their family. We have remained in contact with all but one of the foster children who lived in our home. It is so worth it in the long run! Their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have become extended family to us. It is very special to us.
We started fostering 5 years ago in January 2016. We have had 6 placements come through our home, including a set of 3 young siblings, ages 5 days, 3 years and 5 years old. We adopted our son in July 2019, that we had since 5 days old in NICU. He is now 4 years old. His 2 older sisters went back to their grandparents and we remain connected. We are getting ready to adopt our second foster son, whom we have had since 8 weeks old. He turned 3 in December. We also have provided respite care for other foster parents needing a vacation or just a break. The rest of our foster children reunified with their grandparents.
The most rewarding part of fostering has been to see the children come into our home, open up, and come out of their shell after they feel loved, safe, protected and receive lots of attention. They start to thrive and it’s so nice to see their progress. They start to feel so comfortable. They just enjoy being part of a family enjoying the most simple things we all take for granted. It has opened our eyes in a good way, and it has also taught our 2 teenage daughters to be grateful and not to take things for granted.
My advice to new foster parents- Don’t worry about loving the children and losing them to reunification. Our goal is to reunify them with their family. We have remained in contact with all but one of the foster children who lived in our home. It is so worth it in the long run! Their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have become extended family to us. It is very special to us.