Writing Contest
In the most recent Fostering Perspectives writing contest we gave young people in foster care the following prompt: “Tell us about a time your foster parents or your worker did a good job creating normalcy for you.”
Here’s what they had to say.
1st Place – Hailey, age 16
There is nothing normal about foster care. It’s not normal to be four years old and woken up in the middle of the night by a woman you barely know telling you to grab your coat. It’s not normal to have to leave behind your mom, your driveway full of chalk drawings, and your sense of belonging. It’s not normal to be dropped off at a stranger’s house to stay the night in an unfamiliar bed without your favorite pink blanket. And yet, that’s where I found myself. The best thing that my foster parents gave me was the gift of normalizing my grief. When I cried, they held me and told me that they were sad too. When I missed my mom, they said, ‘of course you do,’ and asked me to share stories about her. When I lashed out in anger, my foster mom pulled me in for a hug and agreed that what was happening to me was really unfair. My foster parents made room for me in their home and they made room for all of my confusion, sadness, and loss. And in doing so, I felt safe and seen and normal.
Hailey received $100 for taking top prize in the writing contest.
2nd Place – Danielle, age 19
My foster parents have made my life so normal. I grew up in and out of foster homes in another state, and then moved here with my grandfather. However, his wife wasn’t very good with children. I grew up having to take care of her. When I came to live with them, it was hard to transition from a caretaker to being taken care of. But they did it. They plan things with me, as if I was their own child. Family game night? I had to play. They helped me pick a car out to make sure that it was safe. My foster mother even put her phone number on a sticky note and put it on my dashboard in case I got in a car accident. To celebrate me graduating high school, they took me on a cruise! This was a family tradition, as they did it with all five of their girls. My foster sister took me in as a sister, which helped. I am now a part of their permanent family!
Danielle received $50 for taking second prize.
3rd Place – Bre, age 12
When I was in foster care my foster family took me to Tybee Island as a vacation with all of my foster family’s relatives. We stayed in a big beach house. In the room I stayed in there were bunk beds. I met two girls my age. They are now my forever friends and cousins. That was my first time seeing the beach ever! I had the most unforgettable time possible. We swam in the ocean and played games. They all treated me as their own. I am so thankful for the amazing memories and a foster family (now my adoptive family!) that loved me so much. And knowing that as a six year old I was safe and got to go on vacation like a normal kid.
Bre received $25 for taking third prize.
Faith, age 10
When I first came into this home I was really scared, but my foster parents made me feel at home. They brought me with them on family vacation. I felt at ease. I felt like this was the perfect home. They let me call them mommy and daddy too. I even got my very own room filled with toys and clothes.
They cared for me like I was their real daughter. They fed me lots of food and even got me to school on time. Then I got adopted!!!
The visits with my birth family were in their hands now. I saw my birth daddy and brothers and sister for the first time. I had a confusing time, but now I am living a happy life.
Maddison, age 15
I have been in foster care for four years and I am still in the system. I have been with the same family since day one and I feel as if things continue to become more “normal”. The first time I felt that my foster parents had made my situation feel normal, is when they started introducing me to people as their “daughter” instead of “this is Maddison, a girl living with us for a bit”. It made situations with other people less awkward and uncomfortable. My family has made my whole situation as normal as they can make it. Involving me in their family gatherings, choosing to take me on vacation with them instead of respite, trying to let me be a teenager and have freedom as much as I can considering my situation.
Kayla, age 17
My name is Kayla and I am 17 years old. The people who showed me “normalcy” are my foster parents. They show me normalcy every day in everything we do. The time that was my favorite with them is when they took me and some other kids wakeboarding for the whole day. We got to do so many water sports and we really enjoyed our time together. I thank my foster parents for taking me in on short notice and loving me like their own. I thank everyone for helping us kids in need and giving us a second chance at life.
Matthew, age 15
My foster mom makes me feel normal every day. She treats me like one of her own kids. She also helps me when I need it most; explaining rights and helping me get better at controlling my anger. She also wants me to live with my family. I love my foster mom.
