[ArmyWife55]

if you could go back in time, would you still have gone the foster-adopt route? why or why not?

[riley6]

Yes, by having the experiences of different kids and different diagnoses, it gave me the experience I needed to deal with the kids I have now. I got better at dealing with the birth families. I got better at dealing with this screwed up crazy DCFS we have. I became a better advocate for my kids. The best reason I'd do it again is bc....

I have the best kids in the world!

[Love_um_all]

yes, i would. These kids are still kids inside of these crazy behaviors. I just love to see them smiling and happy. I love to see familys reunite for the right reasons. I have grown so much from the hard days that normal days are glorious! I love having my mini van full of kids with their little chatter. I love going to chuckie cheese and I love scrapebooking, I love looking in at the babies when they sleep. I really love that... I love hearing Toy Storie, Veggie Tales, and Pooh in the vcr, and wearing the heck out of them! I love putting the little ones on the school bus, they think they are so big when they can ride that bus... I love that my house is full of colorful toys, and kids laughing. (and screaming, hehehehe) But the screaming doesn't bother me anymore. I always have a baby in the house, ...ALWAYS. I have a purpose and a direction in life, and I fill my life with love, hugs, and laughter.

I know there is an ugly side of foster care. But, I have not really found it to be so horriable. Yes, some things are not fair, and they don't go our way, but this is the state we work with, and I think I am prevaliged to be apart of it all. I can't have kids, I always wanted them. And now I have them, even if I just barrow them.

Ps 113:9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
(KJV)

[MommaDonna]

Yes, I would definetly do this all over again. I agree with one of the other post, that we learn more about the types of children, their behaviors, and their emotions as you take additional children. I have had 15 children placed in my home for as little as a few days to over a year. I currently have two boys placed that I am in the adoption process. The oldest we obtained at 10 weeks and he will turn 3 in Aug. the younest we obtained from the hospital at 5 days old and he turned 1 in April.

I have to say that I have been lucky while dealing with the birth parents also. I always try to make positive comments to them every time I see them. I try to give them words of encouragement when possible. It is hard to hide your true feelings about some of the parents but it is necessary.

I wish you lots of luck, and God Bless You.

Donna

[college_mom]

How to answer this one???? Hmmm...
Even though we went through the wringer with our local DCS and went through some hell cats and useless CW.... I would have to definately say YES to adopting through foster care again.
WHY???
Because, like some others we were not able to have bio children and after all the heartbreak and hell that caused we finally realized that this is the way that the Good Lord intended for us to have our family.

[mommyoftwo]

I would say that I would do it again. I was lucky. I was able to adopt my one and only foster child. She came to me at 15 months, and I adopted her at 4 years. The waiting was hell, but it worked out again. I choose to do a straight adoption the second time around for fear that my daughter would get attached to a sibling and then have to return that child back to the birth family...but guess what?!? I almost had to do that with my son because the birth father wanted him back. Luckily it all worked out in the end...but it proved to me that nothing is a "sure thing". Good luck with whatever you decide.

[heidi and co.]

Through everything I would have to say YES!! Even after all the hell that we went through with caseworkers giving our home addresses out to violent biofamilies, threats to take our children out of our home if we questioned caseworkers, lying about the children having very contagious illnesses...Even though, there have been very dark times in our lives, I still holdfast that Light Always Chases Dark Away. Always, always,always...Even after I learned some very sad news about one of our former fosterdaughters, who was with us for 6 months I still believe that the good has far outweighed the bad, in my opinion. We have been blessed by being a part of some wonderful children's lives as well as witnessing families reunite. THere have even been some great caseworkers that have crossed our paths as well. We have a beautiful family and each child is truly a miracle in their own way~all because they learned to trust and to love. Even if it takes forever, we will be here and be so glad for our decision to take this risk. My favorite quote kind of sums my feelings re this post~~ BE Not Forgetful To Entertain Strangers. Some Have Entertained Angles Unaware~~~

[Annie6]

YES YES YES....we would do it again in a heart beat. We have one child who we did a traditional adoption and 3 others who came to us and stayed through the foster system. Would have been 2 more but there was this "evil biddy granny" who blocked that.

Lets see why? I dont' know why, cause who the heck wants to deal with adhd, pts, attchment disorder, learning disabilities, and fase on a daily bases. Then there the fights with the schools, the mental health system, and yes the fights still go on with DCFS.

But you know when it comes down to the hugs and the I love you I guess the really bad parts seems so small. I always wake up every morning knowing that I have been blessed with some of the most wonderful creative thinking children in the world. I go to bed at night thankful that we did survive another day and we all learned from it all.

enjoy and go forth,
Annie6