We became foster parents.
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| copyright 2015 LeAnne Klopfenstein |
To say we got off to a slow start would be an understatement. It took 6 months before we did respite care and then those children became our first placement--both things triggered because we offered to care for the foster children of some of our friends. When the placement ended, we put our license on hold for nearly a year--and then went back to waiting for the phone to ring.
Finally, the phone rang in the fall of 2011, and we slowly got into a rhythm. We had two short-term placements over the course of 4 months, and then our first long-term placement came in June 2012. That "rhythm period" is still ongoing, and has involved many people: 4 licensing workers, 2 case workers, 4 judges, an adoption lawyer, and 1 adoption specialist. State's attorneys, Guardian ad Litems, Case Review administrators, and many people within our agency who have varied roles and responsibilities. We've learned new terminology and feel relatively knowledgeable of how court hearings progress.
Through it all, there is a phrase to which I'm becoming more and more sensitive. What used to feel like praise brings immense heartache:
You're one of the good foster families. {or} We love having good foster parents like you!
Quite simply, I should not stand out! I want to be as average as they come. Don't the kids within the foster care system deserve equal love & attention? To know they matter? To find security in the midst of their uncertain world?
- My house isn't big. And it's never immaculate.
- We aren't wealthy. I've learned the art of humility when family & friends help meet our needs.
- I'm irritated when our foster daughter's mom doesn't show up for her weekly visits....and then I struggle on the weeks mom does arrive. It's a constant battle against self.
- Yes, there is pain & loss when a child leaves our home. We haven't become immune, and are left raw every time.
- I get frustrated with "the system" when we have to wait an additional 5 weeks for an MRI because the first set of paperwork didn't get completed by the state in time.
- Knowing we are the 24/7 caregivers yet are merely the 'temporary' solution until the child goes home or until an adoption is finalized stings a bit.
- I'm frustrated when the phone doesn't ring...and then I panic when we do get a call to take a child. It's a constant prayer of wondering what God wants us to do at any given moment or situation.
But within all my struggles of self, the key needs for each child are met in the simplest ways.
- Love. Every child is cared for, provided for, and protected. Everyone deserves love.
- Laughter. Silliness brings a joy to me, Mike, our own kids, and to our foster kids. Everyone deserves joy.
- Security. Quite simply, we are here to bring peace to those in turmoil. Everyone deserves peace.
- Consistency. To sleep in the same bed each night. To have a daily routine. Learn good behaviors. It takes time. Everyone deserves patience.
- Kindness and praise. Affirmation is so very powerful. Everyone deserves kindness.
- Compassion. Overcome their hurt with good things. Everyone deserves goodness.
- Steadiness. To know their foster parents are always rooting for them. Everyone deserves faithfulness.
- Soft words. Some children have never heard anything except shouting. Everyone deserves gentleness.
- Healthy discipline. It puts the needs of the child above my selfish attitude. Everyone deserves to have someone model self-control.
The simplest things are the things that matter most. And my biggest prayer is for others to step out beyond all their inadequacies and, quite simply, meet the needs that matter so that I can become just an average foster parent.
copyright 2015 LeAnne Klopfenstein
