Foster Parents

messfam07

My husband and I are in the process of becoming foster parents. Do any of you ladies know of a community on here to get advise and what to expect and things like that. I know that in a way it is similar and I know that some adoptive parents started as foster parents. Just looking for someone to talk with. Thank you all for any help

hereonceagain

This is a great site.  But if you want a larger group with more foster care topics, www.adoption.com has some great forums for that. 

My husband and I were fosterparents and took in two children, one of which we adopted.  I'd be happy to answer any particular questions. 

 

laurenatolivet

I wish bump had a special board for foster parents too...but I've found a lot of support from the adoption ladies because a lot of adoptive parents started as foster.  Although I'm new here, I feel welcome to share and ask questions about foster care and I hope you will too!  Good luck on your foster journey!

messfam07

Thank you and for sure will. We have our first Certification visit on the 16th and to get finger printed and all that fun stuff. Its just so exciting and a bit overwhelming and I am not sure what all to expect and wanted to get some incite from others who went through the process.

cadgirl

I lurk here quite often and post occasionally.  We were licensed in February and brought home our first placements (siblings) at the end of March.  I'd love to answer any questions you have, but I have limited knowledge since we've only been at this just over a month.  Welcome to foster parenting!!!

hereonceagain

as far as the entire process goes, just be prepared for a long rollercoaster ride.  There's some downs, but the ups make it worth it.  Expect delays and/or problems.  Expect the worst, but hope for the best.  I could name a million things that went wrong in our fost/adopt cases but I rarely think of those now.  I have never once regretting fostering or adopting.  It has truely changed our family for the better and is life changing.  I never imagined it could make us as happy as it has. 

Go with the flow and just follow the necessary steps.  Remember your goal when you get frustrated.  It will happen for you as long as you don't give up.

 

messfam07

My friends think that I am crazy going forward with this. It has been a dream of mine for so long to become a foster parent. My grandparents did it for 30 years and adopted my aunt who just passed from cancer. That is I guess what pushed me to do it. But I have a 2 year old and a 3.5 month old plus I work full time outside of the home but the plan is by the end of the year for me to be an at home mommy with a possible part time job. But here is to the journey that I am looking forward to.

lilmufish

Honestly, when we were going through the process...and after we begun fostering, I found my community with in the blogging world.  It was so neat to read others' stories, to cheer and celebrate wit.  h them, etc. 

You can see my blog in my signature line, if you start at the beginning, you can read through our story.  There are some great foster parents on this board, their stories are amazing, I highly recommend reading their blogs too

As far as what to expect while fostering....
* Unneeded drama and a rollarcoaster of emotions.
* The joy of teaching a child to play, hug, & love

The second, makes up for the first

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ctbride08

lilmufish:

As far as what to expect while fostering....
* Unneeded drama and a rollarcoaster of emotions.
* The joy of teaching a child to play, hug, & love

yup!  Beautifully said

messfam07

Thank you girls. I appreciate the words of wisdom. I cant wait till Wednesday. I feel like I have been blessed with a great husband who supports me and beautiful children of my own but my whole life I have always wanted to help make a difference in the life of children in need. Ill be reading the blogs this weekend. Get me all amp-ted and excited for next weeks visit. LOL

emv5013

My husband and I are foster parents, but I mainly just lurk on TB but if you have any questions feel free to pm me! 

elissaann26

lilmufish:

Honestly, when we were going through the process...and after we begun fostering, I found my community with in the blogging world.  It was so neat to read others' stories, to cheer and celebrate wit.  h them, etc. 

You can see my blog in my signature line, if you start at the beginning, you can read through our story.  There are some great foster parents on this board, their stories are amazing, I highly recommend reading their blogs too

As far as what to expect while fostering....
* Unneeded drama and a rollarcoaster of emotions.
* The joy of teaching a child to play, hug, & love

The second, makes up for the first

When we initially started the process of becoming foster parents, I found a lot of great information about foster parenting through blogs.  Now we are licensed and waiting for "the call", but I'm always on the look out for more foster parenting blogs.  Do you have any that you could suggest?

My favorites are Fosterhood in NYC and FosterWee.  I have a few other fostering blog listed on my blog as well if you are interested to see others.

mamatojts

I would find a community that has a "generalized" board and a board that if more localized for you, even just within your state. As we've learned around here, many things vary state by state.