Foster Parenting
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Rome, GA
Foster Parenting
I recently started a post asking about thoughts on foster parenting. Well My wife and I are currently about 1 month into being foster parents. I have to say that any apprehentions I had have been satisfied. We started with a set of siblings 2 girls and 1 boy ages from 2 years to 6 years. after about a week they went home and we got a sister and brother 2 and 5 years and also had a 2 week old come about a week ago. They all have been great and I would recomend being foster parents to anyone. We are currently doing emergency foster but our ultimate goal is adoption. If anyone out there has been considering becoming foster parents, go for it, it is worth all the headache of getting approaved.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
My mother-in-law did foster care, I met my wife when dropping off my date (the foster kid). So, I think its great 
I think the hardest thing is adopting or doing foster care for older children because they can have some real serious issues and behavior problems and are old enough to cause real hurt and destruction if other kids are in the house.
I think adoption (Gerald Ford was) is great. Many people at my wife's church have adopted children from all over the world. Unfortunately, it is much harder to adopt with no strings attached in the USA then it is to go to Russia and adopt kids.
Once all our children are grown, we will probably adopt an older child since by then we will be too old to adopt a baby (imo, I don't think people in their 60s should adopt newborn children that probably would see the parents die before they are 18 yoa). Plus, we will be able to give the child a lot of undivided attention if they need it.
I think the hardest thing is adopting or doing foster care for older children because they can have some real serious issues and behavior problems and are old enough to cause real hurt and destruction if other kids are in the house.
I think adoption (Gerald Ford was) is great. Many people at my wife's church have adopted children from all over the world. Unfortunately, it is much harder to adopt with no strings attached in the USA then it is to go to Russia and adopt kids.
Once all our children are grown, we will probably adopt an older child since by then we will be too old to adopt a baby (imo, I don't think people in their 60s should adopt newborn children that probably would see the parents die before they are 18 yoa). Plus, we will be able to give the child a lot of undivided attention if they need it.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
From: Rome, GA
We checked into overseas adoption. The cost of adopting a baby from China starts around $16,000.00 and the children from the Ukrain or Russia start around $24,000.00. I think somebody has figured out a way to make money on adoption. Something like baby brokering. We have told the DFACS people that we are very serious about keeping the foster childrens age under 6. I work 24 hour shifts, as a paramedic, so that leaves my 4'10'' wife home alone to take care of the children. I have seen some of these 12 and 13 year olds, that already stand over her, really act out and get violent. She would have no way to control someone that size without getting hurt. So we are maintaining the 6 year old limit for safety reasons. I hate having to do that, but, sometimes you have to know your limits. Either way we have enjoyed our foster children, it has been great.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 4
From: Maine
Congratulations! Being a foster parent and adopter myself, I can tell you that you will NEVER regret it. There is no better job in the world than making a difference in the life of a child.
As for adopting children from other countries, there is no right and wrong but I disagree with it. There are over 1500 foster children in Maine where the population is less than 1.5 million. There are so many kids needing to be adopted in this country that going overseas, IMO is ludacris. Those kids need to be adopted too but there is great need here.
Anyway, good luck and I wish you well.
As for adopting children from other countries, there is no right and wrong but I disagree with it. There are over 1500 foster children in Maine where the population is less than 1.5 million. There are so many kids needing to be adopted in this country that going overseas, IMO is ludacris. Those kids need to be adopted too but there is great need here.
Anyway, good luck and I wish you well.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Look, kids have no choice as to where they will live who will raise them or who will love them. ANYTHING we can do to make a diffference will help. I KNOW I was raised by foster parents who cared about me. This is a very good cause bless you>
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
andym
General NON-Automotive Conversation
20
May 27, 2006 07:12 PM
mrshorty
General NON-Automotive Conversation
5
Feb 20, 2005 03:20 PM
gypsyrose31299
General NON-Automotive Conversation
14
Sep 11, 2003 10:56 AM
AZ4x4f150
General NON-Automotive Conversation
23
Jan 7, 2002 12:13 PM
