728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
Get Pregnancy Information
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Essays › The Foster Mom Diaries

The Foster Mom Diaries

How Fate Changed
One Woman's Life

By Teri Foreman

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  

Day Six
My daughter had a competition at the ice rink that day. I put the little one down for a nap and left my husband in charge while the two older children and I went to watch her. We still didn't have an infant car seat for the wee girl.

This was my first experience taking them out in public, and I saw a side of David that worried me. He was out of control. I think the excitement and the events of the past week caught up with him, and his 6-year-old little body couldn't handle it. I tried to keep him calm and attend to the needs of my nervous daughter at the same time. I saw a glimpse of what many foster parents must face: the high needs of their new children opposed to the needs of their own children. Luckily, my daughter had her coach to fill in, and I was able to calm David down.

I also found out something else that day: the generosity of people who are faced with very real needs. Most everyone came to ask me about my new family, and the offers of help brought me to tears. One woman gave my daughter an envelope and told her to give it to me later. Inside was a$100 gift card to Target to get the little one a car seat. This experience has taught me something about people. People reluctant to give donations to a big corporate charity have no hesitation in helping children in need who are right in front of them. It's real and concrete, and they know the money will make a difference right now. Amazing.

Two Weeks Later
Turns out, my son, the one who was reluctant to take the children, is magic with little ones. He is patient and kind, and his ability to play at their level is astonishing. I told him he missed his calling; he should go into early childhood education. My daughter, while not so patient, (turns out it's not so fun when you can't give them back!) is a whiz at grunt work, such as washing dishes, changing diapers and preparing snacks. Best of all was the change in little Susan. From a non-responsive baby, she's morphed into a happy, delightful baby trying to verbalize and reach out to those around her.

To say it's hard is an understatement. We still have classes to take and forms to fill out, and we have to have them ready twice a week for visits with their mother. We feel as if we've taken on a whole host of people along with the children: their caseworker, their lawyer (who showed up once when the house was a mess!), family members we don't know very well and numerous other people.

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  


Want to see more?