April 23, 2020
Becoming a foster parent is not a decision to be entered into lightly. Foster parenting is not always an easy path, but that said, it is not without much joy…joy at seeing children heal (both physically and emotionally); joy at seeing biological parents turn their lives around so their children can come home; and joy in knowing that you’ve done all you can to advocate for a child in need.
So.much.joy.
Please know that there is nothing particularly special about me. My husband and I have been fostering since 2013, and our reason for continuing this path is to help children who need a temporary safe place. But that is our reason…and chances are that might not be the reason you are considering it; there are as many reasons to jump in as there are foster parents themselves.
Even after several years of fostering, I am by no means an expert; however, I have learned a thing or two about the process, and in the coming weeks, we will unpack together many of the misconceptions about it. These include (but are not limited to) the following: who can be licensed; that foster care always leads to adoption; only bad kids are in foster care; and so on.
Now that we have established I am not special nor am I an expert, I will tell you what I am: someone who saw the hurt and the helplessness of a child and knew that I could never un-see it; I am someone who knew I could no longer remain on the sidelines; I am someone who has stood beside another human being as he worked through his hurt; and I am someone who wants to come alongside and educate others who have questions about this messy, life-changing subject.
I hope you will join me in the following weeks as we journey together and explore the myths and misunderstandings of foster care.