Monday, August 29, 2011

Foster Parenting Is.......





We are nine weeks into our fostering journey, and what a ride it's been!  Please understand that I would love to post more details, but I want to respect the privacy of our foster children and their birth family, and also maintain a certain amount of privacy for our family. 

Over the last nine weeks I've made some observations about fostering.  If you are a veteran foster parent and are reading this please bear with me as I'm still "wet behind the ears."

Foster parenting is..........

loving little ones like they are here to stay--while knowing they may leave.

having your heart in your throat when you recognize your social workers number on caller ID.

living in limbo while waiting for the next court date.

sleepless nights for you and little ones after a difficult change in their case.

trying to explain to a 2 year old something you can barely wrap your mind around.

giving up a lot of extra activities because what the foster babies need is security and sameness.

sometimes feeling like your life is completely out of control.

having very little privacy due to the steady stream of people in your home.

totally worth it because there are little souls involved!!!!!

If you know someone who is fostering please encourage them.  Tell them you are praying for them.  Offer to cook a meal for them or clean their house.  It may not be apparent to the outside observer how exhausting the job is emotionally, and physically.  To those of you who have done this for years I applaud you.  God bless you for your faithfulness in a hard, but rewarding task!


4 comments:

  1. I truly think those little ones are so fortunate to have you! I don't think most of us can imagine the emotional stress! You're doing a great job! :)

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  2. Betsy--thanks once again for the encouragement! I think you're gifted in that area--encouraging I mean. :)

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  3. Foster parenting cannot be easy. Those little ones are lucky to have you. Good luck!

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  4. What a good reminder. I would have never thought to take a meal to a foster mother. Writing that tip into my memory bank.

    Hope all goes well!
    Gina

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