Foster Parenting Someday - Who, me? :-)
Ever since High School... I have wanted to help kids out who were unwelcome in their homes or who didn't have their own families/homes. Of course there are many ways to help out these kids, and I've done a few already, one of which is supporting an organization (*see below) that helps others adopt these kids.
Though there are hundreds of thousands of children in L.A. County alone who need homes, and I know that "pure, true religion in the sight of God is caring for orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27), it just never seemed to be the right time for me to become a foster parent. It still doesn't seem to be the right time to go ahead and really do it. But I think it's the right time to check it out.
I have made the decision to check out Fostering up-close this year. My friend Mo has invited me to take some foster parenting classes with her in the next couple of months. My friends Mo & Bill, and Linda, are already foster-parenting and love it. So, I have great resources to learn from!
Following are the Steps and estimated time-line I've outlined towards possibly becoming a Foster Parent (Can you tell I’m super-excited but also tentative?)
Step One (2007): Learn & Prep
I would like to become more comfortable with the fostering idea and learn some practical skills through foster parenting classes, CPR/First Aid training, California Foster legal stuff, get to know the people in the Foster Agency that have worked with my friends, etc. I also have a cluttered house of stuff to at least partially clear out and organize, and some important paperwork and routines to establish (one needed routine would be to sit down for a home-cooked meal at my table at home, without doing anything else at the same time, at least a few times a week, don't you think?).
Step Two (2007): Babysit for foster parents I know and love
Step Three (2007): Babysit for foster parents I don’t know
Step Four (Maybe 2007): Getting My Toes Wet
For short term only (a weekend or a week or so), take one well-behaved, female, elementary-school-aged child (yes, foster parents do get to choose!). After she is placed back with her family, evaluate how I did and how my life was affected.
Step Five: Ongoing evaluation as I repeat Steps Two through Four and slowly accumulate short-term experiences with varied children (opening up to different ages, etc).
Step Six (No hurry): Decide whether or not I am able and ready to take longer-termed children. If and when I am, take the plunge!
If I don't at least look seriously at becoming a foster parent, I'll wonder all my life what I might have missed!
* I already support Shaohannah’s Hope with gleeful delight, so I know I’m making a difference one way or another… Oh I pray that I can help a lot of kids who need loving homes, one way or another.
Click here to see how you can help other people adopt orphaned children.
Though there are hundreds of thousands of children in L.A. County alone who need homes, and I know that "pure, true religion in the sight of God is caring for orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27), it just never seemed to be the right time for me to become a foster parent. It still doesn't seem to be the right time to go ahead and really do it. But I think it's the right time to check it out.
I have made the decision to check out Fostering up-close this year. My friend Mo has invited me to take some foster parenting classes with her in the next couple of months. My friends Mo & Bill, and Linda, are already foster-parenting and love it. So, I have great resources to learn from!
Following are the Steps and estimated time-line I've outlined towards possibly becoming a Foster Parent (Can you tell I’m super-excited but also tentative?)
Step One (2007): Learn & Prep
I would like to become more comfortable with the fostering idea and learn some practical skills through foster parenting classes, CPR/First Aid training, California Foster legal stuff, get to know the people in the Foster Agency that have worked with my friends, etc. I also have a cluttered house of stuff to at least partially clear out and organize, and some important paperwork and routines to establish (one needed routine would be to sit down for a home-cooked meal at my table at home, without doing anything else at the same time, at least a few times a week, don't you think?).
Step Two (2007): Babysit for foster parents I know and love
Step Three (2007): Babysit for foster parents I don’t know
Step Four (Maybe 2007): Getting My Toes Wet
For short term only (a weekend or a week or so), take one well-behaved, female, elementary-school-aged child (yes, foster parents do get to choose!). After she is placed back with her family, evaluate how I did and how my life was affected.
Step Five: Ongoing evaluation as I repeat Steps Two through Four and slowly accumulate short-term experiences with varied children (opening up to different ages, etc).
Step Six (No hurry): Decide whether or not I am able and ready to take longer-termed children. If and when I am, take the plunge!
If I don't at least look seriously at becoming a foster parent, I'll wonder all my life what I might have missed!
* I already support Shaohannah’s Hope with gleeful delight, so I know I’m making a difference one way or another… Oh I pray that I can help a lot of kids who need loving homes, one way or another.
Click here to see how you can help other people adopt orphaned children.