ALL YEAR WE ARE ONLY FOSTER PARENTS We are only foster parents who: Live next door to you, have kids who attend our neighborhood schools and we shop where you shop Have extended family members that dont understand what we do or why we do what we do Still love their family We are only foster parents who: Some days feel we are not important within the “system”. Some days feel we are abused by society for doing this Some days feels as if we are glorified babysitters of the neglected and forgotten Enjoy the one thank-you we get All year we are only foster parents We are only foster parents who: Some days might be the car pool taxi going to medical appointments, therapy appointments and family visits Some days we can cook a real meal from scratch and sit down and eat it without interruptions as a real family Enjoy seeing the sun rise to do it again – just one more day at a time All year we are only foster parents We are only foster parents who: Most of the days of the year are forgotten; except when we call for a time out for our own family time. Some days are ignored for asking anyone anything Some days we are disrespected for asking and being an advocate Some days we are discouraged for asking and being the advocate Enjoy knowing we have accomplished turning a no into a yes We are only foster parents who: Spends days waiting for a caseworker to return our calls or answer our emails Spends days waiting for answer as to why. Spend days answering the why to little ones who are wanting to see their family Enjoys talking to a live person on the first ring All year we are only foster parents We are only foster parent who: Most of the day and night are the nurse and primary caregiver of the neglected abandoned and abused Spends days holding a sick infant, spend the night hoping they are safe and sleep sound Spends days comforting a scared toddler Spends days consoling a crying child who only wants their family Spends the day explaining to children why their parents/family cant show up to see them once a week Enjoy seeing the one child smile All year we are only foster parents We are only foster parents who: Spends days fighting for care from therapist and service providers Spends days arguing for services with the schools Spends days explaining the what and why to everyone that doesnt understand who, what and why Enjoys hearing yes just one time All year we are only foster parents We are only foster parents who: Are there every day and night Sees the pain … and tries to soothes it Sees the problems … and tries to answer them Sees the need … and tries to fill it Sees the ignorance ... and tries to soothe it Sees the injustice ... and tries to change it Sees the child forgotten ... and love them. All year we are only foster parents Yes we did choose this volunteer position Yes we love every minute we share with the kids Yes we will keep doing it over and over again Yes we know you really dont understand Yes we know you do care, right? Observations by by Kim Lockwood, Venture County Foster Parent. As we close out the month of May – Foster Parent Awareness month I wanted to share with you some of the observations, thoughts and conditions we have observed in our community and foster home as the substitute care giver for these victims of society.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 23:03:52 +0000
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