It has been a long time since I updated this blog - wow! Life does get busy!
We are still licensed foster parents, but we now mainly do respite care and emergency placements. We took quite a break in 2009 - too many things going on in our lives, and a big surgery in October for me - but since the start of 2010 we've gotten back into fostering. We've done three respite cares - a 10 month old boy, a 4 month old boy, and a 3 year old - and we've done one after hours emergency placement for a 12 month old girl. We had to turn down a second after hours placement due to other family commitments, but we are back on the list again. It's a good fit for our family now - our kids (all three adopted in 2008 from foster care) know that we are just "babysitting" and that the kiddos we take in aren't staying forever. We had thought, or at least, I had thought, that I wanted one more child to adopt, another girl. But after doing the respite care for the 4 month old, I realized that adoption of more is not on the books right now for us. We are so set in our schedules now, that having a new baby on a permanent basis would not be a good fit. So, we continue to do what we feel called to do right now - helping other foster families and taking in the late night, after hours emergency kiddos. I am really beginning to see the difference in what I want versus what God wants. He really does speak to your heart if you just listen! I'm a poor listener sometimes! I always want to thrust my own ideas and opinions out there, and hope that God makes them happen. But when I just wait patiently on Him, and listen to what He wants me to do, things work out perfectly! At this point I know that unless God really puts a new baby in my lap and speaks loudly to me for adoption, we are done. But it's a good feeling, not a bad one!
It goes the same for home schooling. I guess people just automatically assume that if you are a foster parent, or an adoptive parent, that you want to, or have a great desire to, homeschool. That has never been the case with me. But I felt so pressured by others at times, thinking that was what I was "supposed to to". I feel that if God really wanted me to homeschool, it would be on my heart, or that He would need to really shout it out to me. I think that our public schools need Christian families involved in them. My husband and I both attended public schools, and I think we turned out just fine! I want my kids to be an example to others about God's love and I want them involved in public school. And to be even more honest - they need a break from home just as much as mommy needs a break. I want them to learn that mommy and daddy aren't the only people in life you need to listen to and obey.
Saying all that, our oldest starts kindergarten in the fall. He is so excited about it! He tells everyone that he gets to go to "the big school" after summer is over. And my youngest one starts preschool this fall, 3 days a week with our middle child. So, for three mornings a week, all three of my young chicks will be at school, and mommy will be home for 2-1/2 hours by herself! What a concept! I'm not sure what I'll do at first, but I know it will be a good time to get caught up on things at the house. School is only 5 minutes from our house, so it will be easy to come home right after drop-off. All three of our kids love school, and look forward to going. I hope it will be that way forever!
PS - I will be back-updating some posts, just to get current on some things. I hate things being out of order, so as I post about old news, I will back date it. Hope it doesn't confuse anyone!
3 comments:
Yay for respite! I'm only doing respite too. For now, anyway. I haven't had any calls for placements that were good fits, and if any come, I'll make that decision on a case by case basis.
I'm struggling with trying to figure out if I am doing God's work or following my own plans. Sometimes it is hard to tell. I also agree about what you said regarding public schools and using it to witness to others. Sometimes public schools are the better choice just because they have more supports in place. Most private schools [unless it is the schools primary focus] do not offer additional support for children with disabilities such as emotional, mental, speech, physical, etc. They also do not offer or recognize IEPs [that I know of]. On the other hand, public schools have to offer supports per the government..though you often have to fight for the services. Our county's public school system even provides free lunch/breakfast for foster kids.
Glad to see an update from you—sounds like you are an awesome mommy! You've been in my feeder but I haven't seen anything in, well, a year!
And now for an advertisement... ;)
Respite is a great way to support foster parents if you can't do full-time foster care. Not just anyone can watch a foster child. Only other foster parents can care for a foster child overnight. Some do respite on just weekends, other for entire weeks and many have the same foster kids come back for respite again. You do have to go through the same licensing process for the children's safety—at least that is a requirement through my DSS. Private foster care and other states may have different rules. A plus for that is if you like doing respite so much that you want to foster...you're already licensed AND you have experience under your belt. That was what I was going for when I started. I wanted to get my feet wet. I'm open to becoming a full-time foster parent, but our county has seen fewer and fewer children coming into care. Which is a good thing. Our county's foster parents also under utliize respite but some places really need help!
Ok, so, Numero Uno, YOU"RE A CHRISTIAN???? YAY! I didn't know that, and now I am SUPER excited!
Numero Dos, SOOOOO glad that some-one does respite care. There is no-one in our area that has any room for respite care, and that. . . is rough. :-P I don't think that people have ANY idea how exhausting foster care is, and a break would be SO great some-times.
So glad that you are listening to the Lord for your family!!!
And SOOO grateful I found this blog!
I'm glad to see new posts :-)
I think down the road, we will pursue being respite providers, but right now it isn't in the cards.
And you are so right, God does speak to your heart, listening can be so hard though! Especially when you have different ideas, but eventually He does get your attention.
Homeschooling... I never really thought I would be doing this, but here I am. We have a top rated district in our state, but because of issues with ADHD along with being bullied, it was the best decision. We are currently working with a Christian school and the plan is to enroll for middle school full time. One more year. One more year. One more year... And, by the time 10yo is in school full time, the 3yo will be in preschool at the same school.... and then my sanity may return for a few hours a day :-)
Again, great to see you posting again!
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