Becoming a Foster Parent: Terror vs. Joy

Trying for years to become parents with no success prompted my wife and I to try a different route to parenthood. With the decision to become foster parents new in our minds and hearts, we decided to take the necessary steps and classes to make this new dream a reality. The classes themselves were very intimidating. We learned everything from the proper way(s) to discipline these children to the correct way to introducing ourselves to them. With this new information, and 8 weeks of classes behind us, we were ready to take the next step: The Home Study.

This was nerve racking and anxiety causing. There are so many small things that have to be done in order to be "approved". The entire time we were doing these improvements, my wife and I wondered why the people who can have children so easily never have to do any of these things. Were we merely babysitters? These quandaries and questions filled our minds for weeks. Still, we persevered. Finally, the day came. We received a call about a brother and sister. A 2 year old little boy and a 3 week old little girl. The anxiety was real. We were only partly through our home study and they needed this to move quickly. We were as nervous as anyone could imagine! But, we said yes and we went to the DCS offices to meet with several people.

After the meeting concluded, we were on our way to pick up the children. Would they like us? Would they be scared of us? Would they understand what was going on? We made ourselves miserable with worry and doubt for the entire half hour car ride to the children. When we reached the destination, the children were there, waiting for us. They were beautiful. Innocent. Happy. It dawned on my wife and me that these babies didn't understand what was happening. We found out that they weren't actually that attached to their mother as they stayed with different people quite often. This actually brought about a sense of ease to us. We stayed and played with them and fed the baby and when all of us seemed comfortable enough, we loaded them in the car, signed the contract and brought those sweet babies home with us.

We are currently still the guardians of these children and the possibility of adoption is becoming more possible every day. My wife and I looked into adoption too, but as you might know, it is incredibly expensive. If this goes the way we think it might, we will have an instant family and will finally have all we've ever wanted.

If you are considering becoming a foster parent with no other children of your own, do it! These children need people like you, with good hearts, to show them the kindness that they deserve. It is quite terrifying, but also quite rewarding. The feelings of happiness far outweigh the feelings of terror, anxiety and nervousness.

Anyone who has the ability to open their home to a child in need should consider fostering. The feeling of waking up every day knowing that you gave a warm place to a child in need is a kind of rewarding unlike anything I've ever felt. I encourage you to try it and make yourself feel good about the help you've given someone.

If you are considering becoming a foster parent with no other children of your own, do it!