[L-A-J-C-R-C]

Hi,

My biological sons are 20 and 16. My dh and I have always wanted a large family but were unable to have any more children. Two years ago we decided to adopt through our foster care system. We had no intention to foster, just adopt! Well, during the classes we learned that in order to have a child placed with us in the age range that we wanted we'd have to foster. After many, many discussion we decided we could do that. Our first placement was 2 babies, one was 4 weeks old, his sister was 13 months old! Talk about a wake up call LOL it had been 14 years since we had a baby we were (and still are) exhausted. We are now in the process of adopting these two angels! We've had 7 other children in our home since that time (2 of whom are still with us). Becoming foster parents has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done in my life!

My advice would be to only foster children younger than your son. A lot of children in foster care are hurting pretty bad and can lash out (not all but some). As for when they leave, I haven't had to experience the grief of that yet. When the kids left here I had either requested to have them moved or they were reunited with their mom (and I was ready for them to go - it was a sibling group of 3!) Finally, when you are asked the behaviors you can accept, be honest and keep your son's needs in mind.

Best of luck to you. I don't think you will ever regret your decision to become a foster parent. These kids need us and all the love and protection they can get.

Hope this helps.

Michelle