I am so thankful I decided to become a foster parent. The 10-day respite visit with B and K was amazing. They are just such good kids. My heart breaks for the situation they are in and the trauma they have endured, but they both take it in stride and prefer to look forward rather than dwell in the past.
Vader loved having someone to play basketball and video games with. B enjoyed having an adult he could sit and talk to. And boy did he talk! K appreciated having his own space. Overall, we all had a great experience. We have stayed in touch and will continue to do so.
We are now getting to know another 16-year-old. We started with a short meeting, then an overnight visit, and now we are planning a whole weekend. I am nervous about it. I hope they like me. I hope they see that I am a good person, with an open heart. I want them to know they will have a safe place to be themself in my home. That my home can be their home. I want to give them a place where they feel seen and valued, where they belong.
I also appreciated the fact that we have the chance to meet and get to know each other a bit before they moves in. Kids in foster care have had everything ripped away from them and I think it is important for them to have some say about where they go and who they live with. It isn’t a perfect system and sometimes there isn’t time or many options to choose from. But for them, for this possible foster relationship, I am thankful they get a voice. I am thankful that we have the ability to choose each other.
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