Any foster parent who’s been fostering for any time at all has had the same experience.
Intake calls with a placement that seems almost too well suited for your family. A perfect fit, as much as there can be in foster care. You say yes. Everything’s a go. Bringing the kids in an hour. Start rearranging your bedrooms.
They call back. Ummm…well, actually, nevermind.
Yuppers. We got a call the other night for a two year old girl. No siblings, mother in the area, just coming into care. We were really excited and started to prepare our hearts to love her the best we possibly could.
Turned out they didn’t have a piece of paperwork that they needed to place with our agency. Boo. We were disappointed, but mostly were just praying they’d find a good, loving home for that little girl. Not in the plans for us.
So we’re waiting again. You’d think I’d get used to all this. Not that it hasn’t gotten much easier – it’s just still not easy. I just wish I could stop myself from getting my hopes up!
Anyone who has fostered for any time at all also knows what I’m talking about when I say I’m getting antsy. I try so hard not to – just to be present and soak up the way things are now. But it’s like a jolt of adrenaline through my veins each time the phone rings …. Is our whole life about to change?
But, soon enough, things will change. Soakin’ up these two loves I’ve got here with me until they do.
I call it "Foster Pregnancy," and it's every bit as crazy as traditional pregnancy, I'm sure! :-)
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. We had four placements fall through before we were placed with our new little guy. They all sounded so perfect and its so hard not to get your hopes up.
ReplyDeleteThat can be so disappointing! We have had the same thing happen, and we have also been the one to call back too late, and lost the placement...but the right placement is always just around the corner...in His timing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
We had a 2 month old with us for 24 hours when the judged decided to return the child to the home that had just given her up. That was crazy and talk about adrenaline!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can't believe they are calling you for placements! Our social worker said they like to give parents 1 YEAR!! after the birth of a biological child. (I'm due at the end of this month and was not excited to hear that). Of course, it's a supply and demand thing I'm sure. :)
Yes! I know exactly what you mean. :) We are in the same stage now of just waiting...
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, just two days ago our agency FINALLY called us again, but we were on vacation, so we missed their call. And there was another time where we got a call for a three year old girl, but she ended up going with a relative. It is dissapointing in a way, because you get super excited, and then things change.
We just try to remember that God has the child he has for your family, and for ours, already planned.
Thinking of you as both of our families wait... :)
you described it perfectly
ReplyDelete