It’s a common question adoptive and foster parents ask. “How do I handle having a relationship with my child’s birth parent?” In-spite of the fear, confusion, and sometimes awkward situations that come from birth family relationships, we’ve discovered some practical ways to have a healthy relationship.
The Holidays. The season of perpetual joy. The thrill of hope! But often, this time of season can bring stress and anxiety upon us that is all-consuming. How can you ever find the hope, love and joy that Christmas is supposed to be about?
As human beings we have a defense mechanism that we default to when our world is in chaos. It’s a safety net when our children, our marriage, or our family is out of control. However, it’s not healthy. There’s a better way to live.
Foster parenting has the ability to warm your heart and turn your life upside down all in one. How do you navigate the ups and downs, plus prepare for the unexpected? In our 8 year journey in the system, we learned several lessons.
In the midst of the overwhelming trials we’ve faced in raising a child with special needs, we believe that there is a bright future ahead for him. It’s very hard to see, at times, but when we look closer and seize the good moments, we can see it.
We’ve often been asked how we made it through 9 years of foster parenting and 14 years as adoptive parents. Our answer is simple: We have a great support system of people who help keep us going. But how do you find a support system like this? “You’re going to be alright…this is going to be alright,” our friend said to us. “I know it feels like a dead-end street but there’s hope. I’m here for you!” She was right. More importantly, she was there. Those were two things we were certain of. In our darkest moment on the journey,
Everyone knows the Holiday season can be stressful. When you’re raising a child with major food issues, the stress can be insurmountable. How do you successfully navigate a season filled with foods that your child cannot have?
It’s the worst fear of any parent- losing a child. For our guest, Denise, her worst fear became a reality 2 years ago when her son Ian took his own life. In the wake of this tragedy she is learning how to move forward, and live life, in-spite of deep loss. Christmas is supposed to be the happiest season of the year. Filled with family gatherings, good food, friends, gifts, shiny decorations and hallmark memories to last a lifetime. No one expects the season to turn tragic. That’s exactly what happened to Jim and Denise Rose and their two daughter’s on
Adoption and foster care can be filled with loneliness, desperation, and defeat. Can you really find hope in-spite of this? The answer is, yes. It starts by understanding something powerful and true.
The journey of foster care is not free of pain, nor deep hurt, in the least bit. But allowing yourself to feel the emotions that come from loving a child from a difficult place may fill you up more than you realize.
