I mentioned in my post on Saturday that I did the kitchen backsplash because I needed a “win”. I had just finished up a foster care meeting, the usual kind that happen every other month, where the room was filled with professionals all looking at me to provide them answers for the questions on their forms. One person in particular was extremely overbearing, interrupting me at every turn, telling me what I should’ve done better or differently.
I can guarantee you, she wasn’t even right about half of it. Probably wasn’t even right about most of it.
But it killed me. I got home and cried for hours.
You see, the biggest thing foster parents struggle with is self-doubt. Parenting has it’s own struggles with this particular monster, because you suddenly realize that all that “stuff you knew” about raising kids might not apply to the fragile baby in your arms. Whereas you knew what to do when a friend’s baby was crying, all of a sudden your own baby’s screams have you paralyzed. You may know what to say to that kid screaming in the grocery store, but the moment it’s your own, you feel like giving them anything just to make people stop staring.
Foster parenting is that, times 10. You have nearly a dozen “professionals” in your life, many who have never been parents or foster parents and are throwing textbook answers at you. They’ve never been in the trenches. This is a job for them. They’ve never known what it’s like to never get to clock out, to have the “job” stay with you 100% of the time. Even when the kids are in school, my “break” so to speak, I’m on the phone informing these professionals, making appointments, updating their ever-changing files to meet their ever-changing needs. And that’s before I even get to the needs of me and my own kids.
This woman may not have known that I walked into that meeting, already fragile. You see, lately I’ve been wondering if I have what it takes. Foster parenting isn’t just daunting because of the kids we serve, it’s daunting because serving in this capacity brings you face to face with yourself in the rawest form possible. And you don’t always like what you see.
For me, I see a person who is SO tired. I don’t have limitless energy, which is often what this job requires. Our two kids are 5 and 10, but they still act like newborns in many ways, waking up multiple times with night terrors or vomiting episodes from their anxiety. We have to go all day and then go all night too. Not to mention, our own 2 year old’s molars are coming in, so he’s been up every other night screaming as well.
I see a person who runs out of patience VERY quickly. A person who takes normal 5 year old antics and makes them seem like the worst thing ever in the moment.
I see a person who cares for the needs of four children all day and forgets to care about her husband.
I see a person who is on the phone so much, she has no time for her friends and family– the ones she REALLY wishes she was talking to.
I see a person who is worried about money, despite the fact that God keeps providing at every turn.
And I wonder– am I really cut out for this? Perhaps my heart is big, but my hands are way too small.
I told all this to my priest during confession this last Thursday. And you know what he said? He said I need to come to confession more often. Not because anything I’d said was so bad. It is because I spend so much time beating myself up in between. He said I need to hear and feel God’s unconditional love and forgiveness more often.
Family, friends, readers– if you want to know how to support foster parents, here it is in a nutshell. Sure, money is nice. Your time and help are even nicer.
But a kind word? A pat on the back? A validating statement? Those are what every foster parent needs to hear, daily, hourly, as many times as possible. They are not only fighting the battles of the children in their care, they are also being faced with the biggest battle of all– crippling self doubt.
Validation is to foster parents like coffee is to college students. Suddenly that test, that tough studying session, that job interview, all of it seems easier. A little bit of validation helps a foster parent more than any advice or info ever could. A validated parent can go above and beyond and do many things they didn’t originally think possible.
Thank God I had my sister in law to calm me down that day. You see, she is also in the social work field. One of the reasons she’s so good at her job is because she herself IS a parent to a girl she fostered and adopted. Having been there and done that, she encouraged me to shut this woman’s words out. She empowered me and made me feel validated once again.
And if you’re a foster parent like me? That negative person in your life? Cut them out. Even if they are well meaning, your energy should be going towards battles for your foster children, not towards controlling what people say to you. Only surround yourself with people who empower you to do your job well. It’s not your problem, it’s theirs. There are enough healthy professionals in the world who know how to support you instead of tearing you down.
Parents and foster parents alike– you have the toughest job out there. Keep it up.
Related postsThat God May Be Glorified |
My Two Favorite Posts of 2014 |
First Birthday Parties |
10 Things I Never Knew About Foster Care |
Seana Turner says
It is impossible to ever comprehend what an experience is actually like until we have experienced it, or walked VERY CLOSELY with someone going through it. I read your blog and I know you are doing an amazing job… blessing these children with love and acceptance and self-sacrifice.
themrscone says
Seana, thanks so much for the encouragement. I try to have more understanding for friends and family who say the wrong things, because they probably just don’t know. It’s the professionals who are supposedly trained in this stuff that I have little patience for 🙂
Emily says
Yes yes yes!
ivins5 says
I just happened upon this post while scrolling throug hPinterest this morning! How refreshing to read words from someone who knows my heart today! It’s good to know there are others in the trenches fighting the same emotions and struggles with me!
themrscone says
I’m so happy to be an encouragement to you as you walk such a tough road.
Sarah Berns says
Love this. Consider empowering yourself to say I’m up last night with a teething child on top of the kids night issues. Please do not interrupt me when I am answering your questions. You may not be able to fix the bad workers but you are entitled to ask for being treated politely. Can’t always set limits with children but can with adults. You are making a positive difference, and you are strong and loved and supported by every other parent that has been there.
Shannon Pastore says
This is really great! Thank you for sharing something that is so much of what I feel a lot of the time! It is nice to know that I am not alone with those feelings of self-doubt and realizing that I am not all that I’d like to be on most days! I will pray for you and maybe you can pray for me? 🙂
Sherry Hill says
We used to be foster parents and had 30+ children along with our three in 5 years. I totally get what you were saying and you are so right on the target! I love your heart for hurting children and I lived exactly what you are living. So many kids with so many stories. Add to it trying to keep your family safe and happy when these children are so very needy especially that first month. Just wanting to do it is huge. May you be blessed in your helping these kids.
Sherry Hill says
I have to say it was harder working with the adults sometimes than with the kids. It was scary and time consuming and I loved it most of the time. We adopted a teenage foster daughter. 🙂
Jessica Renee says
Thank you for this post. I know it is over a year old, but I needed it. I’m having a really rough day with our case and seriously feel like quitting. “And I wonder– am I really cut out for this? Perhaps my heart is big, but my hands are way too small.” That is exactly how I feel today. I’m trusting in our great God that I can continue on in this calling of fostering. Thank you once again. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.
Kelly Cone says
Jessica, I’m so glad this helped you. There is no such thing as a perfect foster parent, just a willing one. I’m thoroughly convinced of that. Keep fighting, just one day at a time.
Kelly Cone says
As a followup to this post, the social worker in question during that awful meeting was fired less than a month later. Apparently I was not the only one she had offended on multiple occasions! I was right to assume that it wasn’t MY problem. Just goes to show!
Edie Hein says
We, who have children are all parents, caring for babies/children, are taught how strong you can be when those over tiring times
and challenges come up in our lives. It’s because you love that child and will do ANY THING to keep them safe and nourished – even with your life…
You WILL do a fine job!
Kelli B says
So so true. Right now, I’m figuring out who is uplifting in my life and who is not. Sometimes all I need is validation and encouragement when I’m breaking down amidst this foster journey.