“I made one of the biggest mistakes a parent could make: I was irresponsible. I waited for the Child Services to arrive. I wondered if they’d take her away from us. If they did, would we be able to say goodbye? Would they give us a second chance?”
Dear Adoptive Parents: It’s OK To Make Mistakes
To The Overwhelmed Mom: It’s OK To Let Go Of Responsibilities
“We are not meant to do it all. Even if we are being asked to by the world.”
‘My family is one of brokenness, but it is a family all the same.’: Single mom shares adoption of 6 children from foster care
“‘There is no way I could do this with three kids.’ But there is so much loss in foster care and adoption and I felt strongly that losing a sibling was not something I ever wanted any part of, so within a few breaths, I said yes.”
Dear Moms: Thanks For Caring About The Things No One Else Does
“I’m talking about the minutiae of daily life. What a gift this is.”
‘Life was instantly flipped upside down.’: Woman battling epilepsy navigates life after diagnosis, creates support community
“Living with epilepsy isn’t easy but we have an option: we can make it easier on ourselves or harder. Look for the silver linings in the storm.”
Children Are Always Observing (And Absorbing Like A Sponge!)
“Children are often mirrors of what they see and hear those around them do and say.”
‘He wanted help, and I wanted him to die.’: Domestic violence survivor shares healing, overcoming trauma
“I have learned to not run away from, but to go through the pain, to get to the other side.”
Late Grandmother’s 24-Hour Custard Fruit ‘Salad’
“There were rarely ever leftovers, but sometimes my mom and I would sneak some into a separate bowl and hide it, just so we could have an extra serving the next day.”
Mourning Daughter Gets Touching Sign Father Reunited With His Wife In Heaven
“There’s little doubt in my mind or heart that this was my mom’s way of telling me she is once again with my dad.”
‘I fold boys, my baby needs me.’: Woman raised by grandparents shares importance of children feeling needed
“My paternal grandparents sacrificed their retirement to step in as my caregivers. They never once made me feel like a burden.”
Student Bullied For Vitiligo Fearlessly Embraces Unique Skin
“They’d ask if I burned myself or bleached my skin. The ‘popular’ boys barked at me and called me a pit bull. I’d wear long-sleeved shirts to cover my arms, even in extreme heat while on the verge of passing out. I really, really wanted to fit in. But then I realized this is the only body I get, and I deserve to enjoy all that this life has to offer.”
The Pros And Cons Of Domestic Adoption
“Adoption can provide a loving home and stable situation for children who might not have otherwise had one, and can bless parents longing for children with their own to love and care for.”
After Jailed 7 Months, Mom Beats Heroin Addiction To Raise 4 Kids Sober
“I wish I could embrace my 24-year-old self and show her she makes it through to the other side.”
How Youth Football Transformed My Son
“My quiet, insecure, timid son changed before my eyes.”
‘I whispered, ‘You’re a superwoman too, you know.’: Sweet moment two women at gym realize their worth
“For those few moments today, we both realized a little bit of a superwoman in us.”
Don’t Picture Them In Their Underwear, Picture This Instead
“Picture this the next time you have a hard conversation, difficult interaction, nerve-wracking interview, or a ‘feels like everything is at stake’ meeting.”
4 Guidelines For Helping Children Learn To Make Good Choices
“There are endless choices in our world, and decision making is a skill that is learned over time. The more we can do to let our children make choices now, the better they will be at it later.”
No, We’re Not Raising Kids To Be ‘Too Soft’
“If having soft kids means having kids who know the power behind their words and choose kindness over hate, then let me have soft kids.”
‘This doorbell is a symbol of independence.’: Mom reflects on the little parenting moments we measure life by
“I used to pick her up so she could do it ‘all by herself’ and sometimes I’d race her to it so I didn’t have to. But here we are, just reaching.”
Keys To An Effective Adoption Transition Plan
Adoption is bittersweet, but the pain and trauma can be lessened when appropriate transition plans promoting connection and communication are in place.
I Was Once Broke, Unemployed, And Living In A Storage Closet, Now I’m Blissfully Sober
“By the time I was thirteen, I had experimented with every illicit drug on the market.”
NYC Street Musician Softens Irritated Woman’s Heart In ‘Magic’ Moment
“Some didn’t like him singing, some just ignored him. But when he sang a song my heart needed, in spite of being a sweaty, irritated mess, magic happened to all of us!”
It’s Okay If Your Friend Group Is Small
“It’s just me and my two ride or dies.”
I Parent Like I’m My Stepchild’s Mom — Here’s Why
“Never in my life will I discourage my stepchild’s relationship or bond with her mother, but I will not take a step back from mothering this child when she’s here out of fear of hurting the feelings of grown adults.”
10 Awesome Foster Care T-Shirts To Help Spread Awareness
We’ve rounded up some of the best foster parent t-shirts we could find to help you express your love for fostering and the importance of good foster parents in a child’s life.