[kmw369]

I have several questions about fostering and adopting in Texas. I seem to recall when I looked into it years past that there were some very strict guidelines so I decided to wait until I met those guidelines. Now I'm not so sure after some of the things that I've read. I am a single parent. I have two children that are 9 and 11 and one has PDD (pervasive developmental disorder). I work a full time job and my kids do go to afterschool care. I don't own my own house and I don't have the best credit in the world due to my divorce but it is improving. The child would have to share a room with one of my children depending on the sex. Would these things combined knock me out of being able to be a foster parent? On the flip side, we live in a nice area, my kids have been in the same school district since they started kindergarten (they are in 4th and 5th now), I have a very good job that is only .5 miles from the school and my home and I have the flexibility to work from home occasionally. I make more than enough money to pay my bills and I'm currently in the process of paying off my ex's bills (only the ones that were on my credit report) to clean up my credit report. I pick my kids up after school every day. I am very good with children with developmental delays. When my son was 4, I was told he would never make it in a public school and now people can hardly recognize that he has any disabilities. I dealt with more psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, school problems, than anyone I know. My children volunteer with me and they have a heart as big as mine is. They want to bring another child into our home just as much as I do. Would it be best for us to wait until I decide to buy a house or do you think we would still be eligible?

[kmw369]

Thank you for the information. Based on your information, I think that I should take the steps to make it happen. I definately am experienced in juggling work, therapy and school ARD meetings etc...... Now that he is older, it isn't really an issue and I have the time to dedicate to another child too. My son has overcome most of his obstacles to the point where most people can't even recognize that he has had problems in the past. Sounds like my biggest challenge is to maybe move into a bigger place which I have already been looking for. For the most part I would be okay, it would only be the situations where sexual abuse was involved. But I have a child of each sex so sharing with the same sex wouldn't be an issue. Anyway, sorry to ramble. Thank you very much for the response. I am very excited about doing this. My kids are too. They have a lot of empathy towards people that aren't as lucky as we are. Thanks!

[ak-mom1]

I also am a single mother, in the state of Alaska. My children are now 11 and 14 (one male one female). I was a foster parent from 1995-1998, and am currently working towards being licensed again (in the foster-adopt program). I really didn't see any discouraging things in the information that you gave.
My advice is...GO FOR IT!!! It's well worth a try. The most they can say is no! the best they can say is YES!!!
Good Luck and God Bless
~Janice

[MkMw]

Hi Janice - where in Alaska are you? I grew up in Juneau and went to college (3 semesters) in Anchorage....