Question?...

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance ~ Proverbs 1:5



I am sitting here with my husband after finishing up at a graduation party for a sweet high school girl and answered lots of questions about our foster children (which I LOVE to do!) I would much rather people ask, then sit and wonder! So, if you're curious, please ask :) I have decided to pull together, from memory, a list of questions that have been asked over the months! Enjoy :)


Q: Why did you decide to foster instead of just adopting?
A: We originally decided to adopt, so I called the agency to find out more about the process! She sent me information and in that packet, I seen a brochure about foster care. I called back to ask more and she filled me in on how Illinois only uses foster families and they are in GREAT need! Then, she said they had just turned away 3 week old twin baby girls! My heart sank! I called Dan and we decided to go in and talk more details...the rest is history!


Q: What is the process of becoming licensed like?
A: Starts off with a 13 week session of classes (3 hours each). You can choose between one per week from 6:00-9:00 pm or two a days (Saturday from 9-4 with an hour lunch) or two per week in the evening! There is also a required background check, fingerprinting, reference checks, three house visits, measurements and questions! During the sessions, you will have homework every week!


Q: How much does it cost?
A: Nothing! Our children need YOU and our state knows that!!! Good families are hard to find for these children who can't call a home a "home"!


Q: How many bedrooms do you need and how big?
A: Bedroom number and size depends on how many kids you wish to become licensed for! We are licensed for three at a time, we have three kids of our own and we have three bedrooms!! Each child requires 40 square feet each! Siblings of opposite sex can share a room under age 6, then need to be separated. We have a boys room and a girls room (4 boys and 2 girls)


Q: How long will you have him? Will you keep him?
A: The way the "system" works is based on 6 month increments, on court dates. Every 6 months, the mom/dad is reevaluated and the judge decides if the child will stay with the foster parent or return home. Our life with these children is based on 6 months at a time. I have the outlook that they will return home (as I sincerely do hope their parents get help and better), but if that were to change and the child was a good fit for our family...YES, we would have the choice to adopt!


Q: How do your kids feel about it?
A: We talked to our kids a lot before we decided to take this step and we are very open with them along the way. They love and have bonded very well to the children that have passed through our home. Elli has shown the biggest struggle with sharing momma more when a new kid comes, but after a few days, it balances out! I just have to make sure to shower the same attention and love on all my kids :) 


Q: How can you do it, love and release?
A: I think all parents release (to an extent) at some point in your children's lives. Letting go and praying that they keep their hearts turned to God! It's sorta the same for us! We have to let these kids go! We pray they have seen God when they were here and we pray they felt loved, but if they pass on from our home, we know their time with us was precious and valued. We pray for the children and their families. I know, as a momma, how hard it would be to not have your babies...so we pray! Another comfort that we have is knowing that God loves each of these kids far more than their birth parents, foster parents or respite care takers. He loves them SO much!!! That's where my strength lies!


Q: Why do you just have some kids for just a couple days?
A: That is respite care (babysitting provided by the state). We babysit kids due to foster parents going on vacation and one just needed a break! A respite provider is usually given second choice to adopt a child (if foster parents decline). Believe it or not, not all foster parents want to adopt!


Q: Can you strictly adopt out of the foster care program?
A: YES!!!!!!! Yes, you can! There is quite a substantial waiting list of children! Visit: AdoptUsKids to view the children who are waiting for a home!! 


This is just a few "off-the-top" questions that came to mind as I am writing, if you have one that's not listed, please ask! I do hope I answered some questions on this topic and hope you act on that nudge you may be feeling.


If you're reading this and you're simply just interested...you never know where or how God may use this knowledge :) My learning has definitely increased and I have heard the cry! Do you?