"Mom-Mom & Daddy"

So, I'm going to chat here about something that was brought to my attention that other's don't understand. "Why does your foster child call you mom & dad?" 

Now, I know this wasn't asked out of disrespect, just curiosity. So, I'll tell you the reasoning as to why we allow our Little Miss H to call us "Mom-Mom" & "Daddy".

It was never something we told her to do, mentioned, or even called each other that (other than I tell my dog's "daddies home!!!" because they know who "daddy" is). This was something that she, on her own, decided she was going to do(from day 1 actually). I would never tell a child, who's in a state of transition and confusion, that they couldn't call us by those names. You don't have to be blood or have birthed the little human to be their mom or dad. I have several older woman that I call "mom". It's also not out of disrespect for the bio-parents that we allow her to do it. I would never push it in their faces that she calls us that (or even mention it- unless they asked). However, when somebody is 100% solely taking care of you, putting you under their wing, providing a home, providing stability, serving food, & cleaning your messes- they're definitely entitled to "mom-mom" or "daddy". Honestly, I think parents who lose their children for a period of time, should consider themselves BLESSED when a child feels comfortable enough to call their caretakers that. Yes, we know we aren't their "mom" & we didn't birth them, but obviously we're taking care of them with everything we have inside us. It's our pleasure to step in and take place of a "mom-mom" or "daddy" when they are struggling and can't take care of their babies. No, we don't tell the kids you don't love them, you hate them, or you don't want them. Foster parents aren't monsters.. If we were monsters, we wouldn't go out of our way to attend classes on work nights, do extensive home studies, and throw our schedules away for little ones who aren't ours. Now, that's not to say that their aren't bad foster parents. In anything, there's always going to be somebody who isn't doing things for the right reasons, but that's not a good reason to throw us all into the category of "monsters". It amazes me at how many people hear that foster parents are so horrible. We all aren't, so please, watch what you say because us good ones- we might be listening & we MIGHT just speak up and correct you. ;) 

YOU can help too!

So often, people think they have to go out to the nations to preach the good word or to help a child/family in need, but you can do that HERE in your own country, your own state, your own county, your own city, & your own neighborhood. You don't have to take a child into your home, but you CAN support a child who goes into another person's home.

 

I will be collecting items to go into backpacks for kids that come into care. I will post a list of the items below & if you feel lead to give- give. Giving isn't about receiving, BUT the Bible does say "give and it shall be given unto you".

 

Kids that come into care often come with little to nothing. I had two babies under the age of 2 come into my home, both in diapers and this was what they came with: 2 gnarly bottles, 2 diapers, and the clothes on their back. Yes, I had tried to "prepare" myself and have everything i'd need, but there's always something you forget, use the last little bit of, or didn't think of. There's only so much you can do when preparing for any age and any gender up to the age of 2. There's ALOT of small things that can be forgotten or over looked.  OR- in my case- I didn't even know I was licensed yet, so I thought I still had time! Yikes! Needless to say, I loaded those 2 babies up within hours of coming into my home & we made a Walmart trip. No worries though, they were angels <3.

 

That being said, I've been told around the holiday time that kids come into care like crazy. Whew! What a stressful time for everyone- especially families who think they're prepared for vacation and then all of a sudden have another child to pack up and prepare for vacation too. It's not easy, but it's worth it. YOU can help ease the stress and transition of a child.

 

The nonprofit that heads up the backpack program is Emile's Pack of Hope. Feel free to find them on FB or their website.

 

Here's the list: *please, let me know if you have ANY questions!*

 

Hygiene Products:

toothbrushes, q-tips, toothpaste, body lotion, shampoo/ conditioner, body wash, deodorant, brushes/ combs, rubber bands/ hair clips, dental floss, body sponges/ wash clothes

 

Personal Items:

bras, underwear, socks, pajamas, blankets

 

Baby Supplies:

blankets, onesies, pajamas, wash clothes, baby wash, baby powder, baby lotion, bottles, sippy cups, diapers, pacifiers, baby toys, etc.

 

School Supplies:

paper, pencils, books, notebooks, crayons, markers, colored pencils, folders, pens, scissors, rulers, calculators, glue, journals, pencil boxes, lunch boxes, bags, etc.

 

Fun Items:

books, Bibles, play doh, puzzles, games, wallets, purses, art supplies, journals, stuffed animals, puzzle books (crossword, Sudoku), barbies, baby dolls, baseball cards, balls, legos, matchbox cars, jewelry, watches, fun bags, luggage tags etc.

 

 And of course… BACKPACKS!!!

 

* Packs of Hope are made for children babies through teens.

* We are asking that all items are brand new!  These children have enough bruises they don’t need items with bruises.  Thank you for understanding.

Wendy's * Frosty * Donate

Did you know?

 

Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, was a foster care success story? That's right- he was in foster care and adopted through foster care. He didn't end up being "just a statistic". This man came from what people see as a negative situation and turned it into something amazing! He even start his own foundation called "Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption". It's great! So many kids find loving homes through foster care adoption. It's heart warming.

 

 

 

Right now, through the Dave Thomas Foundation, for every $1 you donate you get TEN free Jr.Frosty coupons. These are GREAT. That means you pay 10 CENTS for every Jr.Frosty AND you donate to an awesome organization. Now, these are smaller than a small (hence the name JR), but they're the perfect size for kids. Come on parents, you know a small a little much for your kids who get hyped on just a granule of sugar. ;)

 

So anyways, go by Wendy's and donate. I did. I've bought $25 worth thus far and WILL be back for more!

Baby Z & Baby H

Love beyond 2 - That's what's it all about. Starting the journey towards being licensed foster care parents was one we never "second guessed". Longing to have children around was something we desired to not have to long for anymore. Whether our own, or somebody else's, the love we had to share was bubbling over. In other words, it was time. I will always say "We will serve You while we're waiting", Lord. I got that line from a song and it has stuck with me every since. We don't have babies by blood, but we now care for babies that we consider blood. We love them- like our own, care for them- like our own, & cherish them- like our own. It's not always easy & maybe not always fun, as far as the system goes, but it's always rewarding when we look at the children. We may get just a brief moment to show them what love really is & that may be the seed that blooms later in their life.

 

& that's exactly how the first two happened. We had a brief moment to love them, to pour into them, show them Jesus, & show them what it likes to be cared for. We received a call that 2 siblings were needing a home. Of course, I said "yes! bring them to me!" Within just hours, I was blessed with a little 5 month old baby boy & a 21 month old princess.. but little did I know.. little did I know that they would leave us so soon. A little less than three days after coming "home", they went to be with their biological grandmother- which is GREAT! If family can do it, they deserve to be with family. But it sure did hurt. I was so ready to love those babies and keep them for a while, but that's okay. They're where they belong.

 

We still miss Baby Z & Baby H, but I know in my heart that we did what we could while we had them & I wouldn't change a thing.

 

 

 

Everyone says to guard your heart, but that doesn't mean to close it off. You can guard your heart and pour it out completely all in the same moment.