Last night was the 2nd night of our Foster Parent Classes (only 8 more to go!). It was significantly better than the 1st. We did a role play and it really opened my eyes to families and children that are in the foster care system.
Of course, when the social worker asked for volunteers Luke and I offered our services. We are so shy that I know this must be a shock to you all ;). Anyway, we were given the role of the "Birth Parents." We had 2 children, ages 6 and 2. Other than an estranged sister and a brother (who later is exposed for molesting our oldest child) we have no family or support groups.
"Birth Father" is a factory worker and me, "Birth Mother" is a stay-at-home Mom. We got married right out of high school and have been together for 10 years. When Birth Father was laid off from his factory job things started going down hill. Our oldest "daughter" wanted to go the circus and when we expalined we didn't have the money, Birth Father became angry and slapped her, causing her to hit her head on the wall and have a concussion. After being investigated by social services and it being deemed it was an isolated incident, we went home from the hospital with broken spirits. Later, Birth Father became frustrated, we got into an argument and he left to go have a few drinks and cool off. On his way home, he wrecked and totaled our car and was taken to jail.
To make a long story short, Birth Mom ended up slapping the oldest child again and both kids were placed in foster care. After many more scenarios and a lot of emotion, the family was reunited and services put in place to give them stepping stones in the right direction.
I told you all of that to say this: I really think my previous thoughts of families that "needed" foster care was unfair. I typically thought that all families that lost their kids in the foster care system were not fit parents. However, after role playing the Mom in this situation, I can see how things could snow-ball out of control. I kept thinking about Lucas and Ashlee, who are almost 2 themselves, and how I would feel if something happened and they were taken from me.
It's frightening but it happens. I think God certainly used this experience to make me see that our role as foster parents is much more different that what I first envisioned. I am eager to see what else He will reveal over the next 8 weeks...
Of course, when the social worker asked for volunteers Luke and I offered our services. We are so shy that I know this must be a shock to you all ;). Anyway, we were given the role of the "Birth Parents." We had 2 children, ages 6 and 2. Other than an estranged sister and a brother (who later is exposed for molesting our oldest child) we have no family or support groups.
"Birth Father" is a factory worker and me, "Birth Mother" is a stay-at-home Mom. We got married right out of high school and have been together for 10 years. When Birth Father was laid off from his factory job things started going down hill. Our oldest "daughter" wanted to go the circus and when we expalined we didn't have the money, Birth Father became angry and slapped her, causing her to hit her head on the wall and have a concussion. After being investigated by social services and it being deemed it was an isolated incident, we went home from the hospital with broken spirits. Later, Birth Father became frustrated, we got into an argument and he left to go have a few drinks and cool off. On his way home, he wrecked and totaled our car and was taken to jail.
To make a long story short, Birth Mom ended up slapping the oldest child again and both kids were placed in foster care. After many more scenarios and a lot of emotion, the family was reunited and services put in place to give them stepping stones in the right direction.
I told you all of that to say this: I really think my previous thoughts of families that "needed" foster care was unfair. I typically thought that all families that lost their kids in the foster care system were not fit parents. However, after role playing the Mom in this situation, I can see how things could snow-ball out of control. I kept thinking about Lucas and Ashlee, who are almost 2 themselves, and how I would feel if something happened and they were taken from me.
It's frightening but it happens. I think God certainly used this experience to make me see that our role as foster parents is much more different that what I first envisioned. I am eager to see what else He will reveal over the next 8 weeks...