Alternatives to adoption, Page 2

Fostering

Like any part of the process that brings a child into your home, fostering is not for the faint hearted. It takes a big heart, a thick skin and a lot of work to care for a child that may or may not have health issues, may or may not have been a victim of abuse or neglect, and may or may not be eventually adoptable.

Many foster parents are content to provide temporary care and have no objections to the revolving door that has kids coming and going month-to-month or year-to-year. Others go into fostering as a step toward adoption, hoping for placements that will turn out to be permanent. On the average around 100,000 children in foster care each year are legally free for adoption, and some of these are infants.

inCalifornia Want to adopt? Pregnant? click here

Babies as well as older children need foster homes, and therapeutic foster home are sought for medically fragile children.

If you’re interested in examining the possibility of becoming a foster parent, here is an article from the Adoption.Com library titled, “Is Foster Parenting for You?”

Foster homes must be licensed, foster parents, trained.

A post from a foster mom on the Adoption.Com forum:

Well, it looks like the time is almost here to say goodbye to my little ones. They will more than likely be leaving us tomorrow. This was our first long-term placement, so it will be hard letting go.

Seems like only yesterday that they arrived here in our lives. I will miss them dearly. Though I know that reunification is always the plan, we had hoped in our hearts the maybe they would get to stay. That being said, we are very happy that they are going home to a more healthy environment.

It had been a really tough time, but also very rewarding.

…So I ask you all to say a little prayer for us tomorrow and one for our little ones too.

Thank you all for the support you have given me in these last few months. Hopefully I will be writing again about getting our new little ones.

Sponsoring

For some who very much want to help children in dire circumstances, sponsoring may fill the bill. Whether done on a huge scale … like Madonna supporting an entire community in Malawi … or small and personal with one family choosing to give enough money on a regular basis to feed, clothe or educate one child, providing sponsorship will make a difference in children’s lives.

There are many programs that facilitate these relationships, while some folks find kids they wish to sponsor through friends or travels. Some situations involve letters and photos, some occasionally lead to contact and visits.

Volunteering

Many communities and organizations welcome volunteers to care for children. Hospitals may need willing helpers in nurseries or children’s wards. Schools and public day care facilities can find extra hands and hearts a real boon. Groups like Scouts and 4-H put children and adults together for the benefit of both. Big Brothers/Big Sisters and other mentoring groups can make help to make the world a better place for kids lacking relationships with grownups who care.

Previous chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter

Credits: Sandra Hanks Benoiton