Experiences

I feel that I just need to put a disclaimer out there.

Not EVERYONE's experience in "Foster Care Land" is exactly the same.

I've been thinking a lot about the different foster families that I know.  None of us really share similar stories. They are all unique "to the case".  What is done in one case isn't done in the others. How visits work, what the plan is for permanency, why we do it (fostering, that is), the kiddos, the birth parents back grounds, etc. 

Some of the people I know are just beginners like me. I have some one family have a child and be told that they would be able to adopt him and then see that dream crash when he was returned home. (In less time than my own case, mind you).  I have seen another family lose a sibling and keep the other and have an adoption date set for just one of the two. I have seen yet another family whose doors have been revolving watching children go back to family or birth parents and even other foster parents. They don't want to adopt, they just keep fostering.They have had to endure inexperience caseworkers who must have missed out on some training too! Yet another family has been fostering a long time. They are like the whole package. Seen pretty much everything. Adoption, return to family, split siblings, etc.

The thing that I've learned, is Nothing is consistent in foster care. It's forever changing and it's very messy. I don't know if I would be able to stomach this whole situation again.

I do know this as truth. The children that are living with me are worthy. They are loved. They are wonderfully made. They have such senses of humor and just joy in being kiddos. When I can come back to the house and just hug them, it makes the crazy day at court seem to not matter. Cause it's about them.