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I know this should be in a thread for children but they are all broken down by age and what i am asking about could be a child of any age. possibly special needs.
I have been giving a lot of thought to becoming a foster parent. I was in a foster home myself (4 actually) between the ages of 14 and 18. The last home I was in was the best thing that ever happened to me. My foster mother was an amazing woman who saved my life and set me on a path to become a better person. She tutored me so that I could get caught up and far enough ahead to take college course while I was still in HS. When I graduated HS I also graduated from college the same year with an AS in nursing. SHe paid for my education out of pocket - and when I left her home to go out on my own she gave me a savings account that contained all the money the state had ever given her for me. The only thing she asked in return was to be a good influence in the life of a child someday.
I have come to a place in my life that I feel I have the time, space and heart to take a child in. I know the responsibility and committment it involves which is why I have waited until I knew I was able to deal with it. Part of me is feeling selfish, my kids are all grown - my brother (who I adopted when he was 9) is 31 now and has a family of his own, my daughter is 21, she is on her own also with a family of her own, my youngest is 17 and will be gone soon. For the first time since I was 19 yrs old I will be free to come and go as I please and not have to worry about daycare, ball practice or dinner among other things. So why is this on my mind.... perhaps He is speaking to me.
My question is are any of you foster parents? I am also interested to hear if your own parents fostered. My 17 yr old might still be living here when I do it so I have to consider the impact on him. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated.
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Wow, I'm not a foster parent, but your story seems great. What that woman did for you is amazing. I think that would be a blessing for another foster child if you could pass her wonderful gift onto them. It might change their life as it did yours. I think you owe it to yourself to give it a try. You could really make a difference!!
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my husband and I were very close to being finished with our training when he left for Iraq and now we have to move with the military. So we will restart out journey later this year.
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I think that you will be an excellent foster parent, knowing that you were once in their shoes will definately help them. I've always wanted to try this too but I need to have more experience parenting first IMO and more room. Good Luck to you! Follow your heart. Also make sure that your son is ok with it first.
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Foster parenting is a wonderful opportunity but you have to be the right person to do it! We've worked with private foster care for the past four years (which means we do get a paycheck which you really don't from the state). I've enjoyed it, I've met wonderful boys (we work with teenage boys) and most of them I'm still in touch with but it also can be very hard.
Kids that come into your home, truthfully, don't value the same things that you do. My couch has been abused and pretty much ruined. The same goes for my dishes. I'd like to say I'm a better person and that this doesn't bug me but truthfully it does. I've spoken with other foster parents (traditional and private care) and they say this is a common feeling and that they usually just decide to go with second hand.
The classes our state offered was a great help as well! And probably your state does it as well. One wonderful little tip that I learned from this class and that I use all the time is to place a small amount of money out in the open and see if it disappears. Truthfully I've never lost anything but it does let you know where you stand with the kids that come into your home. Trust becomes one of the biggest issues when you have kids in your home and the sooner you learn if you can or can't trust this kid the better off you are.
Good luck it is and can be a wonderful experience.
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I am a foster mom, I LOVE it..The process can be a LONG one but its worth it. The greatest thing you can do in life is help a child!
Dont worry about TRUST issues. Most of these kids have been through sooo much that they are afraid to trust anyone, Trust comes in time with love and caring!