The Journey of Being a Foster Parent
The journey of being a foster parent varies from person to person. Most people become foster parents because they want to help children in their community. But often these journies don’t stop there! Today we chat with Amber Simarro about her experience being a foster parent turned forever parent.
A Good Start
Amber and her family began their foster care journey in October of 2018. After struggling with infertility and wanting to grow a family, Amber and her husband choose to follow their hearts and adopt through the foster care system.
After a lot of research, we began our home study process and we were prepared to say goodbye to most of the children that would come into our home as we 100% support reunification when it’s in the best interest of the child!
Their first placement came to them on December 20th, 2018, and reunified with her biological family in August of 2020. Thinking they would have two placements at a time, eventually, they had a full house of five little babies.
The Beauty of Foster Care
Being kind and openhearted is very important when being a foster parent. Understanding that most children are temporary placements but loving them fully is hard.
It was so beautiful to see that process through and we feel so blessed to be a part of that family’s story. This is arguably the best and most rewarding part of our journey thus far right next to giving these kiddos all the experiences they have dreamed of. I always tell them I want to show them the world and we have a blast doing so!
Growing a Family
In July of 2019, they received a placement of two siblings. Soon, they welcomed the children’s little brother and decided to pursue adopting all three siblings.
As of September 30th, 2020 the children officially became part of Amber’s forever family. Because of COVID-19 the adoption process had many delays. Thankfully, the work of amazing social workers helped guide Amber and her family through the process.
Amber and her family are hoping to make their family complete with the adoption of their last placement in the coming year!
Our journey has given us the family of our dreams and I wake every day feeling blessed that every turn in life has led us to each other.
Sound Advice
We asked Amber to leave us with some advice for families looking into adopting through foster care.
My advice for families choosing to adopt from the foster care system is to BE PATIENT and GET TOO ATTACHED! There are going to be times when you want to give up, when the journey is overwhelming but when you finally get to say forever nothing else matters. If you have a reunification case, don’t hold back. Those kiddos still need your all. Does it hurt when they leave? Yes! But just like I tell my kiddos, reunification is just as beautiful as adoption and in its own ways, adoption makes you sad just as reunification can.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, we’d like to thank Amber for sharing her experience being a foster parent turned forever parent. So many people struggle with having their own family, adoption through foster care is a great option. Check out how much adoption through foster care costs in your state HERE.
