Has your family ever taken in a foster child?

@deeds14 (815)
United States
October 27, 2006 8:32pm CST
My family has cared for over 20 foster children over my life, and it has been the best experience of our lives. We stopped for a few years, and are now going through the trainings again. Has anyone else done this? What ages do you take? We take infants through age 4, but we almost always get infants. Anyone interested in this? If anyone has any questions, I'd be more than happy to answer!
2 people like this
11 responses
@baronarthur (4187)
• Indonesia
27 Nov 06
That's great... My parents would never do it... They already has 6 children...ha..ha.. Your parents must be rich..It's difficult to do it. If you have your own family, do you really want to do it again?
• Indonesia
28 Nov 06
That's lovely.. Your parents has given you something that more than money could give.. Nice to meet the people like you...
1 person likes this
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
12 Dec 06
Thanks very much! Nice compliments..
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
28 Nov 06
Wow, I can understand why they wouldn't do it with 6 kids already! My parents are pretty well off, but we know plenty of people who don't have much at all and still do it. You get a small stipend, plus you're guaranteed to have more than the kids had before! I will definately do it when I have my own family. It taught me a lot, as a child, about sacrifice and generosity. And providing and caring for those little children is so rewarding. Thanks for the response! +
1 person likes this
@sweetcakes (3504)
• United States
16 Nov 06
my mother just recently became a foster parent she took in one of are family members little girl, so that she wouldn't get put into the system.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Dec 06
thanks i feel the same way too. now she has added another family member as well.
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
20 Nov 06
Very, very kind and generous of your mother.
• Australia
15 Nov 06
Well I am a foster mother and I still foster........ All my natural children that r older now want to foster too and fell best thing we did.. I am proud of them too.. Wish more would foster children..
1 person likes this
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
16 Nov 06
It's always good to see another foster family. What ages do you take in? My family is finally done with our trainings, so all we're waiting on is the home visit! But who knows how long that will take. :)
• Australia
22 Nov 06
We started off with a 12 year old girl.. Had many children from then from 6 weeks to a 15 year old.. We adopted the 12 year old .. now 22. Also adopted 3 siblings .. So at moment have enough to handle.. Best of luck,it is very hard work but for the mending of a child that is very rewarding when they smile back at u or done something very positive. Love changes everything.
• Australia
15 Nov 06
Well I am a foster mother and I still foster........ All my natural children that r older now want to foster too and fell best thing we did.. I am proud of them too.. Wish more would foster children..
1 person likes this
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
20 Nov 06
That's great that you passed on this kindness to your kids... I, too, want to foster children one day. For now, I'm happy to be with the kids that my parents take in.
@blueman (16509)
• India
16 Nov 06
no.
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
22 Nov 06
Know anyone else who has?
@utsadetti (4589)
• United States
28 Dec 06
no never buddy.
1 person likes this
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
29 Apr 07
What would it take to convince you to?
@crazymom (579)
• United States
28 Oct 06
My family never has, but I would really like to do it. I am just afraid that the expense will spread us to thin, and the emotional part is really scary...I know that I would get attached. Is it hard to get started?? What all do you have to do??
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
28 Oct 06
You get some money from the agency, but it really isn't enough since children are so expensive. If you can afford, it is definately worth it and good foster homes are needed right now. If the expenses are something you are worried about, you can tell the social worker, and see what she says. These foster kids have nothing, so you will have more than they are used to! Just call your local child placement agency and speak to the intake worker. To get a foster child, you have to go to trainings to get licensed. A social worker checks out your home to make sure it's safe to live in, and then you are eligible for placements! Thanks for the questions! Anything else I can answer? It's so worth it!
@birthlady (5609)
• United States
28 Oct 06
I am interested in caring for foster children, although I have not yet done so. How long do the children stay with you, and when they leave, is it emotionally difficult for you? I would love them and cry when they go.
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
28 Oct 06
When you take in a foster child, you are just taking care of them while their families gets their stuff together. This can be from a few days to a few months. We had one little boy for a year, but that was very rare and was only the one time. It's sad when they leave, but not so bad, because you are expecting it from the beginning. You are more happy because you provided them with a safe home. It is worth it!! Contact your local children's agencies to talk to their intake worker if you are serious about it! Thanks for the questions!
@massaj03 (4367)
• United States
28 Oct 06
no, my family never has
1 person likes this
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
28 Oct 06
I understand, it's a big decision.
@cburtz (282)
• United States
28 Oct 06
Nope, but some of my close friends are finishing up classes to become foster parents.
1 person likes this
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
28 Oct 06
That's so cool! The system needs so many families, but very few people are willing to do it.
@kesfylstra (1868)
• United States
5 Dec 06
We haven't yet, but someday when my kid(s) are older, I think I would like to. My husband is adopted, and spent about a month with his foster family. I would like to "repay" them by doing the same for children waiting for adoption.
@deeds14 (815)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Wow, that's really kind of you. Foster children deserve love and family, just like anyone else!