Fostering Third Placement Experience! We would love to share our foster to adopt journey with you!
If it’s your first time here you may want to start with our first experience, followed by our second here!
However, if you want to jump right into our Fostering Third Placement Experience that is completely fine too!! 🙂 Whatever works best for you!
Our Foster to Adopt Journey
My husband and I are foster parents. Currently going through the foster to adopt process. Since I was a little girl I wanted to be able to adopt a child.
To start, I was very blessed that I was able to have my own children but we wanted to complete our family through adoption. This is where our journey began almost 2 years ago.
Initially, the process requires quite a bit of paperwork that covers numerous steps. Which, in my eyes is a good thing. I say that because the people that are serious about the process will stick it out and complete all the tasks. However, I can tell you from personal experience that it is so worth it.
The process will unlikely go as you plan. As you can tell from our experiences along the way.
I didn’t realize we would go through fostering first. But what a learning experience it has been for both my family and me.
Many people tell me that they couldn’t do it. It’s hard. I’m not going to sugar coat it, it can be a little difficult at times.
However, I can say as an adult. We are way more equipped to handle the heartbreak and the roller coasters versus a child.
Fostering Third Placement Experience
We received a call in the late afternoon about a little 11-month-old boy who was severely abused. Without going into detail because of classified information. It was heartbreaking to hear what happened to him.
With that said, we arrived at the agency to pick up “Noodle.” We are going to use nicknames and stock photos for privacy reasons.
It was a late afternoon so our bio children were there with us. When we got to the front desk they asked for my first and last name and who we were there to pick up.
Not realizing another lady standing near the desk looked over, with her phone in hand, and while listening, seemed to take down my information. Cautiously I spoke to a caseworker about the situation. It was true. The lady that put my information in her phone was “Noodle’s Aunt” and she was originally there to pick him up and was denied.
Of course, that was a little unsettling. The agency didn’t feel it was a concern that she had taken down my information. That was disappointing and nerve-racking. However, moving forward.
Facts of Foster Parenting
This experience again was very different from our other two placements. This time “Noodle” showed signs of abuse and neglect. He had a very flat head and bruising in numerous places. Unfortunately, the flattest head I’ve ever seen in my life. It broke my heart!
Noodle came with a couple of outfits and some diapers that helped. We were also given a $100 voucher to buy him clothing which was unexpected.
He was a pretty happy boy. He was only 11 months old and could walk and run all over the place. It surprised me a lot because in all of my years as a preschool teacher as well as a mother. I had never seen a child walk before a year old.
Why You Shouldn’t Judge
There was something about taking Noodle to the store that day that forever changed me. When we got to the store I put him in the grocery cart and began to walk. An older lady stopped right next to me and my oldest daughter. She looked at “Noodle” looked back at me, glared, and then shook her head and walked off in disgust.
At that moment the lady immediately judged me and it embarrassed me. I don’t know why I let myself be embarrassed. I knew it wasn’t my fault.
However, she was standing there judging me for a wrong to this child that I didn’t do.
I was able to look passed this because I knew I wasn’t in the wrong. This child was safe because of myself and my family. Moving forward I’ve learned to shrug it off.
It doesn’t happen all that often but there are times that it does. However, people judge in everyday life. If you have the wrong purse or chew with your mouth open. There are always people who are going to judge you.
I can tell you this! If you are still reading this right now. You are what this world needs. We need more people like you to stand up and help be there for these children in care. I am proud of you for opening your heart and your home for a child that needs love, care, and protection. You are truly awesome! Thank you!!
Saying Goodbye to a Foster Child
After a couple of months of being with us, “Noodle” went home. I was very surprised they allowed him to go home so quickly. This little guy moved mountains when he was here! I know God’s got big plans for him! I just hope Noodle always knows he’s worth it.
