Teen Boy?

I don't want to discourage anyone from taking teens because there certainly is a need for homes for them. Teen boys may be easier to deal with than teen girls, and it would definitely be easier to deal with a teen who wants to be in your home and is willing to work with you rather than against you. But I would caution you to realistic look at whether or not parenting a teen would be a good fit. I felt sorry for the sib group and said yes to a placement I shouldn't have, but I didn't have any experience parenting teens and I admit I don't have the flexibility some other posters on here allow with just letting little things go. I work well with younger kids. I'd be willing to consider a teen boy, as long as he was actually wanted to be in our home and willing to cooperate setting rules and to be reasonably respectful. But I'd never take a teen girl again.

We've had 3 male exchange students before so we do have experience with parenting a teen, though not a foster child. I just saw this boy and I knew we could provide a home for him! I emailed our CW this morning and she said she'd get back with me and that he's a great kid. Now I'm just sitting here like :eek:

Texaslady, this is so awesome - it's heartwarming that you are following through with your gut instinct about this young man. I bet you were meant to be there in that moment to hear him ask those questions, because they spoke to you! Can't wait to "hear" more, best of luck!

Fingers crossed for you and the teen. For what is worth, a teen that is a good fit is extremely rewarding and affirming. You get to see measurable results right away because they are so close to being adults.

Tx lady I hope it works out for your and the young man ! I keep in mind that God works in mysterious ways and he may have put you two together in the same place same time for a reason. !! Good luck and please update when you can!

I would def call. We provided respite for a 17 yr old recently...he's now become an extended member of our family-still with his foster family, but we fell in love with him-and so did our kids, even celebrated his 18th birthday with him a few weeks back-he said he wanted all his "family" with him on his birthday. Having never parented a teen, I was always scared. Now we're open to caring for teens too.

Good luck! I hope it goes well for you if you decide to try. With the right kids, it can be very rewarding.

We were 0-7 but I fell in love with a 14 yr old in our state that we met at an adoption event. She was already spoken for by the time my (SLOW AND LAZY) worker finally got our homestudy to her worker. I still think about her! She was so bright and spunky and sweet. She was all into the younger kids there, had a nurturing disposition. She was athletic, and in Honors classes, loved animals and young children. I still think we could have been her perfect match. I hope wherever she ended up is a great home and that she is happy. If we ever return to doing foster care, I think I will stick to the older ones or infants. Our two adopted daughters have worn me out mentally (3 and 5 at placement with quite a few diagnosises) I don't know that I would ever take another sib set either. Ours should have been separated.....they do so well away from each other. I think had they been separated at first, and truly gotten their needs met, they could have brought them back together for permanence, but they would be so much healthier emotionally and mentally. Ugh..off topic, sorry! But I agree, there are some good teens out there. Obviously, learn all you can first, but there is no harm in getting more information! Some kids develop a wonderful heart despite their environment.

It sounds like devine intervention! It was meant to happen! Have you heard back from the CW?

If you have an open bed and a willing spirit go for it.

We were licensed for 3-9, and didn't want to go over the age of 9. At an adoption event we met a 15 year old young man that we have now been matched with and are waiting on redacted files. I don't know what drew us to him, we had no desire to adopt a teen, but we knew he was the one.

They placed him in a group home 4 hours away :mad: .... However, they don't feel that's the right place for him and he has court in county next Wednesday. They're going to bring him to us to spend Tuesday night so we can decide if we want him!! :banana: :happydance: :banana: I just feel the hand of God in all of this.

He really wants to graduate from the high school here in town--he has friends here and was on a sports team. They have no sports at the facility. :mad: They said even though he's been placed in a facility he remains very positive, polite, and upbeat. :banana:

I have been thinking about you and him all day, I am so happy to hear this. Please keep us posted. That would have broke my heart, I think I would have called too.

I hope you got your chance with him, because us teens never have the chance of being adopted because no one wants us. They want babies, which I think sucks, because we want a family too.