[bdor]

We are seeking to share, love, help, and enjoy a relationship with a family with a child or children. We lost our only Son over eight years ago, and would love to have a helpful and caring relationship with a young family who would like to have assistance and affection which we will try to offer to you. Please RSVP if interested...God Bless!!

[J.Ro]

I don't know where you are located, but someone on this forum posted about their community in Ohio. It is on an old military base and they provide housing for parents to adopt foster children, one parent receives a salary to be able to stay home. The other component is they provide retirement housing for elders at a subsidized rate. In exchange, the "grandparents" agree to spend a certain # of hours each week giving back to the community and spending time with the kids. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the place but there may be more like it out there somewhere. In the meantime you could volunteer at any local Boys and Girls club.

[bdor]

Your rapid and caring response is really appreciated...My Husband and myself feel that there is a serious need to utilize ourselves and others like us to help our commuities. I read over a number of the posts even here, and I sense the love and desire by so many foster families to help others, but the complete commitment is at times frightening when one may not know what type of child and/or problem(s) related to the child or children's former family life problems, may come with that commitment.

I am feeling a compeling need to help people, families, and especially children and babies in these sometimes confusing and/or sad situations. I know there are churches out there, but often many of the families of these children don't have a clue how to avoid being "preached to", or how to trust enough, to allow a God or superior belief system into, OR back into, their lives. Helping someone on a temporary, yet sincere and non judgemental basis, even if only for an overnight or weekly relief basis, may give (some of these families), back a chance at trust thru relief of so many real or imagined life problems and burdens...

I so appreciate your response, because I also think there must be others who feel they can help, too, whether elderly or not, just like so many try to do in the fostering and adoption programs, but with a shorter commitment prospect.

God bless, Barb

[jesjaf]

My parents have both passed on, but my in-laws are both healthy and active. My children never see them. My in-laws are upset with me and have turned their backs not only on my husband and me, but on our children. Well it's my in-laws loss. I would love to find 'grandparents' for my children. They have so much to offer them.

I noticed you're from PA. Unfortunately we're not, but I do remember reading something about the type of situation you're looking for. Check out this links as I found it on the internet. http://www.retirementwithapurpose.co...andparent.html

On a more personal note, please be careful as there are many who would take advantage of this thoughtful situation.

I hope this helps and good luck.

[newMafamily]

One option might be to call your local division of youth and family services offices and ask to provide respite care only. Depending on how it works in your area you could provide assistance to one or two families who need short term breaks. This could develop into as much or as little of a relationship as you and the family want. I have heard of foster grandparent programs but unless you are in a more city area I doubt they would have one.

[Auerpower]

I knew that there had to be more great people in this world than what we normally see on a day to day basis. Since I started reading this forum I have been continually amazed at the kindness, and generosity of the people that read this. Its great to see caring people that want to help out the community...I wish you lived in my community, it would be a pleasure knowing you. Keep us posted, and have a great day...Wayne.

[bdor]

Thanks to all who have responded. The feelings felt from so many sincere suggestions and support is truly so lovely. Sometimes earth, even with all of its' tough circumstances, really is neat! It's great to know that there really are caring people found in places one never anticipated....God bless you all!!!

[manon]

I don't know much about how to become a foster parent but I'm sure they could use you! From what I've read, it sounds like you could make contact with whoever in your state and community places children in foster care, the Dept. of Children's Services or Dept. of Human Services, or whatever it's called there. Lots of places have classes you have to take first to qualify.

In the meantime, until you get all the details of that sorted out, you might also consider volunteering time to rock babies at a children's hospital. I live in Memphis, TN and we have several children's hospitals here (including St. Jude's which a lot of people have heard of). They all have programs for volunteers to come rock babies however many hours a week you can give, or to read to little kids or help older kids with homework, etc.

Lots of times children are in hospitals for stays that are longer than their parents can be there full-time. The parents may need to be at work or at home some distance away taking care of their other children. At any rate, there's plenty of opportunity for providing kids with attention they desperately need, even if it is on a transitory basis.

One other thought is that fall is a great time to get involved in your community by volunteering to help at your local public schools. They can use people to help kids learn to read, etc. I know my mom used to spend a few hours a week at a local elementary school, where she would take one child at a time out in the hall to practtice reading to her. Some kids don't get that kind of individual attention at home, or could use more.

I'm so sorry about your son. I can't imagine how much that hurts. And I know I see life so much differently now that I'm a parent that I can imagine wanting to find some other child or children to give love to and to help out. Your priorities change so dramatically when you become a parent, and you know how important it is to be there for kids, as compared to working a few more hours at the office, etc.

Best wishes to you.

[MommaD]

What a wonderful desire to help people! I'm also very sorry about your son

Have you thought about foster parenting? There can be a lot more to it than just taking care of the children. I've been able to develop caring relationships with some of the bio parents of my foster kids and offer them support and help long after DHS is out of the picture. I've found a lot of the parents are bad parents because they have never seen a better example and just don't know any different. From your post it sounds like you would be a wonerful example to a young mother and/or father struggling to figure out how to parent.

MommaD

[manon]

Actually that reminds me, MommaD. I have a friend who is currently fostering both a 17 yr old girl and the girl's 5 yr old daughter. I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover that there's a need for foster parents to do that, to emotionally support a minor who's a mom in teaching her parenting skills and trying to help her move forward with her life. I'm sure it raises a lot of tricky issues about who's in charge of discipline etc., but I can imagine there are other girls out there in the world who have not found their family environment to be the right place to raise a child (either voluntarily or not - some girls get kicked out, others may know their family situation is not healthy for a child).

[bdor]

Thanks to all who have taken the time to respond...my Husband and I are inquiring at hospitals, woman's shelters, foster and adoptions agencies, and other churches, in an effort to help families or babies or children, who may have emergency or respite assistance needs in their lives. It is wonderful to know that we can try to help make a difference in someone's lives if they may need assistance. God bless and thanks again to all...

[Coley]

Another suggestion would be to check with the special needs community in your area and see if you could perhaphs assist a family with a special needs child or do respite for a special needs child. Although, my son has 2 sets of grandparents I wish he had a 3rd or 4th! LOL He has cerebral palsy and sometimes things are so challeneging that another set of hands to help out every now and then would be so nice and appreciated. Good, caring people who would treat my son as he should be treated to do respite care for him are so hard to find!

So just another idea for you!

~ Coley