[twinflana]

I do know of a foster family that won over the birth family because the child was with the foster family for over a year. However, the aunt did not express interest until the child had been in care for a year. So the judge questioned where she was all that time.

I personally went into fostering to help a child in crisis. I did not go into fostering to adopt any of them. I did wind up adopting 2 boys but in both cases there were no relatives that wanted them. Yes there are many foster parents who want to help the children and only consider adoption after they have fallen in love with the child and just can not dream of giving that child up. Sometimes our hearts do things that goes against what our brains tell us are right. If the aunt of my 2nd son had decided to adopt him I would have supported that because we only had him for 2 months at that point, however she decided not to and we now have a great relationship and stay in contact. I love that Florida passed a statute that a foster parent has rights over any relative except grandparents once that child has been with them for six months.