On and off over the years, I've thought about doing foster care or even adoption.  The pictures and stories of less fortunate kids in our country and around the world have not passed me by without making an impression.  But there was always a reason why it wasn't the right time.  We had babies of our own consuming our time...or I was going to school...or my husband's work schedule made me feel like a single parent and two kids were enough to raise on my own...or I was trying to get my business off the ground...or we were concerned that a foster child would be emotionally disturbed and could hurt our kids...and on and on.

In November, when my husband's major back surgery had to be done as an emergency, and worker's comp denied his claim even though the injury happened at work, and then our private health insurer denied the claim because they felt it was a worker's comp case, and my husband lost his job, and the doctor that did the surgery threatened to sue us for the $40,000 he charged for the surgery, I began to feel VERY overwhelmed and it was DEFINITELY not the time for foster care.

In January, I realized I was doing way too much on my own and my anxiety level was much higher than it should have been.  So I took a couple of weeks to relax, delegate, and put things in pespective. 

Now it's February, and I'm on the other side of my "chillax" time and suddenly I realize how richly blessed we are as a family, and how much we have to share with a child that doesn't have that.  When I mentioned our interest in fostering to my family, my sister told me I was crazy.  My mom texted back, "R u serious?!"  Maybe I am a bit crazy, but I'm definitely serious.  Here's why.

My husband and I have a strong marriage.  We've spent a huge amount of time and effort into raising our kids to be healthy, happy, confident kids that have compassion for others--and we think we've done a good job thus far.  We all immensely enjoy time together as a family, and we make a point to have some everyday.  We live in a home that has plenty of space.  I have a job that makes the ends meet and I make a point of keeping work in perspective. 

And then I just can't help but compare all of that to the challenges more than 2000 kids in my state are facing such as physical or sexual abuse, neglect, drug addicted or incarcerated parents and I just can't ignore that.

Foster care is nothing to take lightly.  Your home and family must pass a list of requirements.  In our state, you have to take eight weeks of classes.  Then, if you're approved, you have to be willing to bring a child that likely has special needs into your home and commit to keeping them there as long as they need a place to stay because they've already been uprooted and tossed around and stability is HUGE in a kid's life. 

You have to open your heart to a stranger, promise to give them acceptance, support and affection--all knowing that at any moment, they may leave your home and you may never see them again. 

We actually think we're ready, so we submitted the contact form and are waiting for a social worker to contact us.  Please pray, send positive vibes, or whatever you do our way.  This is a big decision requiring a lot of sacrifice, but with the potential for amazing benefit and growth for all involved.  I'll keep you posted on the process.

If you're interested in learning more about foster care read:

Tips for Parents: Becoming a Foster Parent

Don't miss the other parts in this series:

Part II: The Process of Becoming a Foster Parent

Part III: Becoming a Foster Parent