“My husband Aaron and I have been foster parents for 15 years. In that time, we have adopted 2 kids but have welcomed more than 70 children and teens into our home. We’ve welcomed newborns up to teenagers of various ages into our home. We have also had the opportunity to work with children that have special needs and disabilities.
Our focus started out being education, as it didn’t take long to see that many kids in the system were behind in their academics. We helped kids as much as 3 years behind grade level, catch up within the same year. Our placements in recent years have been to welcome those that were difficult to find placement. These are kids with behavioral and special needs. It is our job to fight for services and therapies for these kids.
Over time we have seen kids gain the confidence and the power to succeed. Kids can overcome a lot when they feel safe, encouraged, and loved. Our kiddos are always a part of our family when they are with us. With us, they go camping, on trips, and out to amusement parks. These children have the freedom to feel normal and understand what it means to be a part of a family, not just looking in from the outside.
We have biological children and this road hasn’t been the easiest on them, but no one will tell you they felt neglected. Our own children have matured and grown in ways that makes us so proud of them. They have learned empathy towards others and navigated how to advocate for those that can’t do it for themselves.
We still have contact with several of the families we worked alongside. Many assume that parents get their kids back and return to their old ways. There is some of that, but we’ve been bless to see families heal and grown together. Many of these families want better lives for their children, they just don’t have the support or tools to make those changes on their own or perhaps some of these parents were kids that slipped through the cracks of the same system when they were younger. If they were never parented, how can we expect them to know how to parent? Many are too quick to judge the parents harshly. They all need help if a family has a chancel at healing.
I love our foster care journey. It has shaped us into better parents, better siblings, and better people. There are not enough families willing to open their hearts and homes to make a difference in someone else’s life.”
But there could be…
This true story is brought to you by The Sprecher Family. If you or someone you know is a foster family and are interested in sharing your story with us, please visit Tell Your Story.
Created by Jolie Chabala, Bananas Foster