Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Foster Parent Myths Uncovered

Yes I am a foster parent. Many people want to know how to help but have built up stereotypes thanks to our lovely media and society today. I hope to uncover the common myths of foster parenting today. If you have any questions I can answer... let me know :)

#1. Foster parents take care of kids for the money. Ok, here is a fun one. While you do recieve a subsidy as a foster parent it is nowhere near minimum wage. The department offers vouchers for things the child needs but the amount that Idaho pays monthly is like $272 for a child under the age of 3. With that said it IS a job, you are employed, and it a professional team effort to take care of the kiddos who need you. I suppose you could take in 6 kids and make a great amount of money doing it but all that money would go to pay for your mental home care that you will have built up after about 2 months of that. There are many other benefits you qualify for like school scholarships, free lunch program, WIC, and many more. So yes if you love kids and want to help become a foster parent. I dare you hehehe.....

Foster Parenting 101


Well it has been a week since out first placement has arrived. We call him "Little Man." He is Brayden's age. He is such a sweetie pie and is doing great. The Honeymoon Phase is over and he is fitting right in with the other boys.

He has a family visit once a week and he does very well. But I am more suprised at how well I am doing with them. I didn't think I would be the person who connects with mom so fast but that is what happened. I am glad to know I am able to be there for Little Man and also for mom who needs someone right now. What a rewarding job!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Hannah Banana


The only girl in our family... well besides me. She passed me up in height this year. She loves volleyball and her friends. She has a heart-shaped freckle on her back. This child was almost 10 pounds at birth and is tall and skinny now.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Heeeeere's Tyler


Wow can't believe he will be 16 this year. Most of you know that Tyler is Autistic, diagnosed at age 5. He is very high functioning and mainly lacks social skills. He gets annoyed easily. We are pretty sure he is an 85 year old man trapped inside a teenager's body. Tyler loves video games and Lego's... still. He has a crazy vocabulary. Deep down I know he loves his mama ;)

My intro


My kids are my life... so this is my mommy-blog. Every day is an adventure in my house and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am a 34 year old stay at home mama of 5 biological kids... 4 boys and 1 girl. I am also a foster mama and we have 1 kiddo in our home right now. I am a student, going to school for a degree in social work. But this is about my kids so......