Saturday, July 28, 2012

Skirting the Issue: Aurie from Our Good Life

Today we have a special guest---Aurie from Our Good Life ---sharing with us some thoughts, facts, and feelings about being a foster parent.  Everyone's fostering story is different and we are happy to have her sharing her perspective with us today.
Becoming a foster parent is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.  It's not just the endless paperwork, the finger printing and the non-stop questions about your home, your work, and your family.

Becoming a foster parent means that you are involved with the sadness that accompany innocent children.  I've heard stories that break my heart and make me want to scoop up every child and bring them home with me.

Becoming a foster parent means that you are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You never know when you'll get a referral or placement call, and there are times when the call comes while the child is on the way to your home.

Becoming a foster parent means that you will be caught in a web of red tape; the tug of war between agencies and caseworkers; and the fears of the birth parents.

Becoming a foster parent means that you will learn how to juggle multiple appointments with ease.  You will quickly learn who can advocate for you and who you can trust.  You will learn all sorts of legal and technical terms.

Becoming a foster parent means you will open your home and your heart to a child who has no idea what it means to live in a *healthy* family.  You will deal with behavioral issues, developmental delays and emotions that are all over.

Becoming a foster parent is hard. I'm not going to lie.

Becoming a foster parent was the best decision we ever made. Yes, the struggles are hard and there are days and nights when I wonder why I ever wanted to do this. Thankfully those moments pass, and the ones that I remember are the sweet moments of giggles, hugs, kisses and love.

Aurie Good is a pastor's wife, a "retired" youth minister, and probably the most relaxed mom that you'll ever meet!  She blogs at Our Good Life with quips about life with two girly girls, two wild & crazy dogs, and one cranky cat. Her passion is sharing their fostering journey with others.  She is married to her best friend and consider the simple life that they've created absolute bliss. They are currently awaiting their next foster adventure.
Blessings, Aurie

Related Posts

2 comments :

  1. My daughter and son-in-law are Foster Parents, which makes us Foster Grandparents. We have all thoroughly enjoyed it, although letting the children go is hard. We have to keep in mind that our goal is to reunite the children with their families if possible.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing this. My brother and sister-in-law have just recently started fostering and its given me a completely different outlook on these sweet kids.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.