My husband and I never realized just how many ways we could grow as parents. Here we are thinking this how we raised/ are raising our own children, but what about foster children.
When children begin to enter your home, you have to learn about the individual children because each child has a different story, even if they are coming from the same household.
Trauma looks different every time and you as parents have to learn how to adjust and adapt to the best parenting style for each child. This is all done while trying to maintain the same household rules for everyone.
Every child has different needs, struggles, disabilities, backgrounds, and life experiences. Their normal is no where close to what our normal is. It takes a while for them adjust to a new normal and you as parents have to be very patient. It is hard some days and very challenging, but they need us. It also forces us to see life through different lenses and grow in areas we never thought of before.
We definitely are not perfect at being foster parents, but we give it our all and love every child that we welcome into our family. Yes, I said family and not home.
You see we are big on the belief that we make a family and family sticks together! We know that sometimes this is a stop on the path for some children and for others they become permanent in our family dynamic.
It is hard to let them go when they return home or their goal changes, but that is part of the process and journey.
You see getting attached isn’t a bad thing and maybe that is why some people don’t want to be foster parents. People have always said there is a art to letting go. You find ways to keep them in your heart, even after they are gone. You may shed some tears or get upset, but you have to realize this is God’s plan.
So open your eyes to growing as a parent, definitely get attached, and learn to let go and always remember the impact and memories made with each child.
💕Be brave, be strong, be love! 💕
Leftwich Blend 