Decide what age group will fit in with your family. Our kids have enjoyed having brothers and sisters close to them in age. When we go places, we are an instant “kid magnet.” Whether it is the beach or the park, or just around the neighborhood, kids attract more kids. Over our years as foster parents, we’ve drawn small kid crowds wherever we go. Our kids love that.
How do you manage all those kids? Mercy. We only have four. Lots of our radical Catholic friends have many more kids, all home grown. I’ve only given birth once. Foster care is a very civilized way to have children: no muss, no fuss. Spare me the natural child-birth.
No, seriously, we are overwhelmed by our own two kids. How do you manage? Once children outnumber parents, you have to move from man on man defense, to a zone defense.
Create adult space and kid space, adult time and kid time. Kids learn to play with each other, entertain each other and to some extent monitor each other. We learn about all kinds of misbehavior from siblings that we would never be able to observe ourselves. We often overhear giggling kid conspiracies, that wouldn’t take place if we were hovering around, supervising their every move.
Isn’t it hard to let go of the kids after you’ve had them for a while? Some kids are easier to let go of than others.
Our standard answer covers the fact that some kids are real stinkers that you’re ready to get rid of and others are heartbreakers. The separation is difficult. But when you know it is the right thing, you do what you need to do to help the kids transition and all of you move on.
What are you waiting for? Call your local social services agency today, and get your application to become a foster parent. You know you want it.