38 Comments

  1. First, bless you for being foster parents. Some family members are a foster family, and I know how much time, commitment, generosity and love it takes. I never thought about ways to help a foster family who has lost a foster child to reunification. Thank you for teaching me and for the great suggestions.

    1. Thank you so much Laurie. Through this process I’ve come to realize how forgotten foster parents can become even by the church. But the Bible says whatsoever you do for these the least of my brothers you do unto me! So thank you for wanting to help them!

  2. Diane, I’m sure giving up this sweet infant was super hard. And the Lord wired us to not only care and love children, even those not our own flesh and blood, but also to grieve many kinds of loss…not only death. Grieving the baby or child leaving is a normal and human process. Love all your tips for helping Foster families, it’s such a high calling, we should jump in and do something to support willing people like you. Thank you for taking in and caring for kids who need this tender love and care, if even only for a short time.

  3. Oh, my sweet friend! You know how I’ve prayed for you and baby since he was placed in your home. I can’t imagine the loss you feel but the joy, as well. Know that I’m still holding you in prayer. Enjoy your well-deserved sleep!

    1. Thank you so much Sue! All your prayers have been and are so appreciated!!! You’ve been such a blessing!! ❤️

  4. I love your list of ways to help a foster family. My parents have adopted 5 kids and fostered one other through the state of CT system, and each of your ideas are things that would certainly help!

  5. What a unique and sensitive way to be a blessing–and so needed! This opens my mind to a whole category of need that I would not have considered!

    1. Thank you!! I’m so glad you found it helpful! I know before I started this journey I never thought of different ways of being a blessing to foster children outside of fostering. But yes there are so many ways to bless foster children and their families when you can’t foster yourself!

  6. We’ve never fostered kids, but I’ve had many friends who have. Losing a foster child is always such a tough, tough thing to watch them go through. 🙁 Thanks for sharing your experience with it.

  7. I had a social worker call me a babysitter once, like just anyone can sit with a baby. It is a lot different than a teenager and a few hours while you’re out. Family daycare is an option too especially, if you can get some good help, you can teach Christian morals, but you need the license and commitment,some business savvy. I made a lot of mistakes in trusting people but never the Lord, He knew I was a good mother even though I had no children. And it does break your heart to let them go but He is watching, even if they are not in a good place, as some are. Some people need their rights severed.And no, I am not bitter but I think people are not always prepared as they think they are.

      1. Happy to, people need to know there are so many in and outs and laws in differents states, but children need their help and prayers. Thanks, Diane.

    1. I think that’s also a tough subject people are not willing to talk about. Many don’t seem to understand (and won’t unless THEY go through it!) that sometimes it IS in the BEST INTEREST of the child to have parental rights terminated, and it’s not because of bitterness that you come to the conclusion, it’s facts and history.

  8. This is my first time to link up, as I just discovered you. What an important and needful topic this is. I know some avoid foster care because they don’t want to experience this pain. But those children need love, care, and time, even if it pains those who have to give them up again. What a profound ministry.

    1. First, thank you so much for linking up! I’m so glad you found me and joined our link up!
      Yes…it it scary for many people and I don’t blame them at all. Aside from having to say goodbye to children when they do go home there’s also a whole lot of other issues you have to deal with as a foster parent, from the agencies to dealing with flip-flopping decisions, and dealing with sometimes difficult birth parents. It’s a tough thing to do. But it’s good to know that there are other ways to help foster children and foster families when foster care or may not be for someone! Thank you!!

  9. Diane – I can only imagine how painful it must have been to give up this precious baby even though you knew it was a good thing for the baby and momma to be reunited.Thank you for being that mom who could do this. It takes a strong momma. I admire and appreciate you. I love the list too of how to help.

    I am so glad you shared your story. There are so many different types of grief the world just doesn’t recognize or see.

    FYI: When I was in college I was trained to be a respite caregiver, (not sure the name) I went in and watched the foster children for a weekend while the parent went away. It was challenging and rewarding to be able to do a small part to help. Maree

    1. That is awesome Maree! Respite caregivers are so needed as well. We needed to utilize respite for one night just so we could sleep. Thank you for sharing that!!!

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