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Anyone else feel like one moment, you know you are on the right track, doing the right things and the next, you are questioning your sanity to even become FPs? I have 4 boys that are 19-10, part of me is like, sit back, enjoy the calmness of your life (it has been a crazy ride) and wait for grandkids, the other part is pushing the FP train with a desire to help those in need, make a difference to our next round of parents in an effort to reduce the kids who end up in the system and maybe, just mabey, add to our already large family. Can anyone relate? This is why we are going to start out as respite providers...testing the waters....
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I can relate. I've started doing observation at the rtc where I volunteer, my homestudy is almost done and now that it is so real and close to actually happening I feel very overwhelmed. It made me physically tired after I went and "observed" the kiddos, even though I volunteer with them, this seemed different, like looking at each one as a possible child of mine and how it might end up.
It's scary, that's for sure. But I think we'd be crazy and unrealistic to not have any reservations.
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I think it's normal to have some conflicting emotions. You know in your head and heart that you can do some good for some kids and families. That does not mean it will be easy or painless. Sometimes we want our choices to be easy and painless. But really it's more about doing what's right and good. :) Congrats on being almost there!
I feel the exact same way. Thursday is the last week of our PS-MAPP classes. Then one more home visit on the 26th and we're done. I have this pull in my heart that knows this is what we should be doing, but my mind is wondering if we can handle it all. At our PS-MAPP classes they stress that doing respit is a great way to see if foster parenting is for you and they even wish is was a required step to being foster parents. So to me it sounds like you are on the right track!Good Luck!
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Fear of the foster world unknown? Completely normal !
My advice? Plug in with the subset on this forum that matches your state. It might seem scary, but once the first child shows up - you'll dive right in. Just document everything and remember to follow policy on getting medications paid for and getting doctor visits approved.
Ask if your agency has a mentoring program. Sometimes the agency has told things so many times to so many FPs that they forget a few things you need to know when the child actually ARRIVES! A mentor can help you to get those questions answered after your first placement....