We all have moments of doubt. We wonder: Is what I\u2019m doing really worth it? Do I make a difference?<\/p>\n
In fact, it’s almost as if the harder your job is, the more you care, the more likely you are to have these questioning moments.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s hard to say why this is. Maybe we get too close to the struggle, or get discouraged by the slow pace of change. Maybe we forget that every victory, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.<\/p>\n
Well, if you\u2019ve ever questioned the impact you have as a kinship caregiver or foster or adoptive parent, this issue of Fostering Perspectives<\/em> is for you. In it you will find a host of clear reminders of the many ways you and your fellow resource parents make the world a better place.<\/p>\n In particular you\u2019ll find articles shining a spotlight on the countless everyday actions we too often discount or overlook: reaching out to support one another. Speaking up in court and in child and family team meetings. Advocating with schools and providers on behalf of children. Connecting with children\u2019s parents. Loving and nurturing vulnerable kids, even when they\u2019re struggling with their emotions, behavior, and ability to trust.<\/p>\n Being a resource parent is a big job, and it isn\u2019t always easy. But as the words of the children below and in other parts of this issue testify, what you do matters a great deal. Thank you for all you do to make life better for children, families, and communities.<\/p>\n My foster parents care so much about me…. Now this is what I call my home. . . . Without them, I would have given up my dream to go to college and make something of myself.\u00a0 \u2014Sierra, age 17<\/em><\/p>\n [My adoptive mother] is too sweet\u2014I love her. I trust [her] the best. She helps me. She gives me kisses before I go to bed. \u2014Byanca, age 8<\/em><\/p>\n The thing that they have given me the most of is love and compassion. Nothing can beat that, not even a trip across the world. \u2014Austin, age 13<\/em><\/p>\n My foster mom and dad adopted me. I am so glad they did. With their guidance I feel . . . I can accomplish anything. \u2014Sofia, age 12<\/em><\/p>\n Since she entered that door and became my foster parent\u2014part of my family\u2014my life changed. . . . For the better. \u2014Ericka, age 16<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We all have moments of doubt. We wonder: Is what I\u2019m doing really worth it? Do I make a difference? In fact, it’s almost as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1016,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,20],"tags":[554,115,118,28,25],"series":[1351],"class_list":["post-1011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parenting-kids-in-care","category-self-care","tag-being-a-foster-parent","tag-foster-care","tag-foster-parent","tag-foster-parenting","tag-self-care","series-may-2016"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1011\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1011"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fseries&post=1011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Thank You<\/span><\/h6>\n
\nReminders from Young People<\/em><\/span><\/h5>\n