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Originally Posted By Cherbear

My husband and I began the process you are about to begin about a year and half ago. We were licensed 6 mos from the time we started our MAPPS classes. We have fostered 3 children so far. David, came with the promise that his case was going to adoptions and TPR (termination of parent rights) right away. He was 13 mos old when we got him and he will be 2 in a month. He is a beautiful little boy who has been in care since 2 mos of age. We finally are approaching the end of the road with court dates for him next week..not TPR yet but close. We had a 4 month old for 7 1/2 mos whom we were sure we could adopt-he left last month to go to a relative who had said she didn't want to hear any more about his case...don't call. Grandpa has his siblings and wanted to send him to stepdaughter and talked her into taking him. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life to take that boy to TX and give him to these people. I loved him more than I could ever have imagined. They are in contact and he is apparently doing well and we are recovering from the loss. We just had a newborn girl for 12 days and she also went to a relative. Now, I want to tell you that as we are re-licensed for our second year we still want to do this!! God called us to it and it has been more rewarding than I imagined and harder than I imagined. The easy part for us is the children-you love them and they bless you. The hard part is the emotional rollercoaster you can be on if you are trying to adopt a child and the system is sooooo slow to get these children free even sometimes when it so apparent it needs to happen...as is the case with my David. I would recommend you getting involved in the foster parent association because the support and mentoring are invaluable! It is so nice to know that someone else really understands what you are going thru. I am always amazed that people think if you foster a child it only takes a week or so to adopt them!! The average child in foster care in FL is in care for 18 mos. If you know this is what you want to do-take these classes and get started. Be prepared to wait and to be disappointed sometimes but know that if this is what God called you to do He will equip you to handle everything that comes your way in the process.
When I took our little baby girl to her aunt and uncle it was not hard it was easy....because I knew they would love and care for her the way I would. I will miss her but it didn't hurt the way it did with Timmy.

Once you are licensed and taking in children-learn to say NO to placement if the situation is not right for you and your family (ie don't take a teenager if you really only want babies). They will call you with any child they need a bed for..be firm. Stay informed so you can be an advocate for the child. Know what is happening in their cases, court dates etc. Go to court if you can, it will help you understand the process better and the judges want our opinions. Talk to the guardians for the children-if they don't have one or the guardian isn't active get them a new one!!! I did this with my David. Stay in contact with the case workers so that they will remember your child's case and do the work they need to do. The squeaky wheel gets the oil!!!

I hope this helps and if you want to talk more email me privately at flcherbear@aol.com