[mommytoEli]

a couple of months ago my dad passed away...while he was in the hospital we found out we would be adopting a sibling of our son...and he called to tell us we were crazy. lol. i told him "you said the same thing when we adopted the other 4, which ones would you like us to give back?" he laughed and said none....exactly. i think it is just scary for everyone in the beginning, but once they meet the children and realize they are just that, children, then everyone kind of comes down. it will be ok, just give them some time.

[CaddoRose]

We had lots of support from family and friends. I had one supervisor at work ask me why would we want to do that? Why would we take someone else's problem kids? I just told him because it's what we're supposed to be doing.

[Mom2blessings]

Originally Posted by tiredofwaiting

Hi,

My husband and I are considering being foster parents. It seems like 1/2 the people we tell of our plans tell us we are setting ourselves up for heartache. It is getting tough. At least most of my family is all for this. I know people are trying to protect us, but this is a very hard decision to make and when people tell you ( who have not done it) that is hard , you start to doubt yourself. Has everyone gone through this? I am thinking of not telling anyone else what we are thinking about
thanks

My advice is get used to it...and if you *really* want this, don't let it discourage you. But I will say, they are telling you the truth (even if they don't know why what they're saying is true). Foster parenting is one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's hard emotionally, physically (I'm tired quite often), and psychologically. You have a constant barrage of caseworkers, some of who are great and some of whom will lie through their teeth just so to make their job easier, all of whom are intrusive (it's their job, no fault of their own). You are trying to love these children like your own, and yet not allow yourself to get so emotionally involved that you will be destroyed when they leave.

Is it worth it? It has been to me. I've enjoyed giving kids temporary homes and hopefully helping them. I'm enjoying 3 blessings now, as we head to TPR in September....and we plan to adopt if that happens.

I even feel like I help the birth parents (not that they always recognize this). I try to be very supportive of the birth parents and prepare the kids for returning home if that is the plan. I never talk badly about the parents. I've always prayed for the birth parents with their children.

[Beautyqueen616]

Most of my DHs family (I don't have family) really does not like the idea of us doing it. Not because they are worried about us they are worried about themselves. They don't want to become attached. I honestly do not think it is thier decission to make and we are no longer telling anyone about the foster care.