Why Foster Parenting?

Josh and I first considered the idea of foster parenting about 10 years ago, after we were married only a short time. We found a couple of foster parents then and asked questions. I don't remember the initial reason foster parenting crossed our minds, other than the fact that we didn't get pregnant right away and we wanted a dozen or so kids. :) We had no idea, though, that we still wouldn't have any children 10 years later.

My thought then was: Get a child, fall in love with him/her, and adopt them. Josh's thought was: Be a blessing to many different children and hopefully lead them to God in the process. After thoroughly discussing the hows and whys of foster care it was apparent that it was not the right timing for us. I honestly, at that time, knew I couldn't handle giving the children back to the birth parents. Other reasons, including the fact that we lived in a 26 foot travel trailer and were about to travel all over the USA raising support for Indonesia, made it clear that there was no way we could be foster parents back then.

Fast-forward to 2 or 3 years ago when we were just talking and Josh said how if we ever lived in America again he would like to be a foster parent. Then, when we did end up here, back in America, we started seriously considering it.

Honestly, at first, the reason I wanted to be a foster parent was to simply have the joy of mothering a child--completely selfish. I had a desire and this was one way to fulfill a life-long dream. Now, I can say, since learning more about foster parenting, I want to do it because I know how great the need is and I believe I can be an instrument of healing in a child's life. And yes, even if it means giving the child back to his birth parents--which is the most likely scenario.

I must add that Josh has an amazing ability to teach, and children seem to gravitate to him. I know he'll make a great foster dad! I am so glad that he is not just agreeing to do this but is enthusiastic about it.

Is it tempting to keep our comfortable lifestyle the way it is? After all, we can go wherever we want, whenever we want, and do things without interruption. Yep, it sure is. But it's not about us. It's about the kids, and they are worth it!

Foster Kids' Room

Here are some photos of our foster kids' room (not sure if we'll have one or two at any given time). This is usually the last step in the process but, hey, I couldn't help myself! Most of the items you see were given to us.

Those Toddler Years!

I'm currently reading Positive Discipline the First Three Years. I like how the authors not only give you ideas on what to do but they also spend a lot of time explaining the whys of a toddler's behavior. It's easy to get caught up in the hair-pulling frustration of spending your days with a busy toddler, but I can imagine how knowing this information could help tremendously and make it easier to deal with that little needy person!

I've seen a change in my behavior since reading Positive Discipline books over the years. I look at children and treat them differently than I did ten years ago, and I'm thankful for that.

Good-bye, totheunreached.com

Our missions website will be removed sometime soon. Sad to see it go. So much time put into it! It was the story of our lives for many years.

I mentioned in the last post there that my husband, Josh, is a professional driver for Swift Transportation. We are looking forward to starting the training for foster care within the next six months. I don't think it is a requirement, but I hope and pray that Josh's job will be more flexible to where he can be home more often by then. Currently, he is gone during the week and only home on weekends.

Just a quick update for ya!

Stay By Mommy!

While babysitting four children, I needed to run outside and put two milk jugs into the recycle bin in front of the house. I could have just ran out the door, told the kids to stay inside (and hoped they would have), and been back in a matter of seconds. No harm in that, but I had three kids who wanted to be with me whatever I was doing.

I knew there was a possibility of some of the children running into the street or down the sidewalk, further than I would want, so I said, "Okay, all aboard the train!"

So the three of them grabbed onto each others hips and mine, like a train, and we danced out the door to the recycle bin and sang some silly made up "choo-choo" tune.

All were safe and sound and we had a good laugh and another moment together.

Let Them Be Involved

Kids want to do what you're doing. They want to be with you. Yep, it's quicker and easier to just do the task yourself most of the time, but the benefits of letting them help you far outweigh accuracy and efficiency.

I recently cared for four children (ages 3, 5, 8, & 10) for a couple of days. There were dishes to be washed, and I prefer hand-washing over dishwashers for some reason, so I started to wash them. The five and eight year old immediately wanted to help. I let the eight year old boy rinse and the five year old girl dry the dishes. For a little while the three year old did some drying, too.

It certainly wasn't the most efficient way to get the dishes clean, but I wouldn't trade those moments of laughter and hymn singing for anything!

Little moments like these are what your kids will remember in years to come!