I toyed with the idea of being a SAHM but was concerned about giving up such a great job with terrific benefits for a temporary situation (foster care). Where I work there is very low turnover. It's not like I could leave and then later find a job back with the same company or even another company doing something similar.
Although my placement agency has never failed to contact me to take placements, there are lots of people who post that they've waited MONTHS for new placements.
When there are allegations made (notice it's "when" not "if") then your home is also placed on hold. They may or may not remove the kids (depending on the type of allegation and age of kids). It can take MONTHS to clear up allegations. We've had two allegations (both from the same child). The second allegation took 6 months to clear up. That time the child was moved and she admitted to lying after she found out she was being moved... didn't matter she admitted to lying they still held our license for 6 months. That happened about 2 weeks after the last time I considered being a SAHM... so glad I didn't make that choice!
In addition, our agency requires foster parents to have sufficient income (without the fc stipend) to meet our bills.
Although I love DH, I am the first to admit that he isn't the most dependable wage earner.... and I am such a
CONTROL FREAK
that I have to have my OWN income, I have to ensure my children and I have insurance, I have to maintain some order in my life. In addition to my company job I started a rental business and currently have 8 homes I manage. My rentals help supplement our income. My company job helps full fill that part of me that being a SAHM would not full fill.
My company income is more than double my DH. At one time HE thought about running our rental business (I wasn't interested in him doing it) but that didn't last even a trial period. In addition he would not be a good SAHD. So... he continues to work jobs that don't even pay our day care expenses every week, which is why I have to work.
__________________
With the same amazing man for 15yrs
Mom to a wild and crazy bunch:
Adopted - A1 - 9 yrs (adopted Oct 2005)
Adopted - A2 - 5yrs (adopted Dec 2006)
Biological - T - 1 yr (born 7-29-08)
:Exchange student - K - 17yrs
Former foster child (lives with me during the week) - M - 13yrs (foster child from age 6yrs to 11yrs)
Total of 104 foster children and 4 foreign exchange students at last count.
