When I began as a foster parent, I stated, “I did not want to adopt.” I already raised a daughter alone and was quite adamant about not raising anymore children as a single parent. If someone had told me that I would care for over 30 children, I would not have believed them.
During my 11-year history as an Adoptive Parent and Foster Care Provider, I have cared for 30 children from zero to 17 years of age. The experience has been life-changing. Though I only wanted school-aged children, I have ended up changing many diapers. I said I only wanted to foster girls, but I have now cared for many boys.
At age 51, I have adopted two children and I have the legal guardianship of one. The joy I have experienced as an adoptive mother far exceeded my expectations. I never realized three children could bring such joy to my life. Nothing in life is easy but at the end of the day, the lives of four people have been changed. My life changes each time I attend a basketball game and my daughter shoots the game-winning basket. Each time my son brings home a certificate of honor for his school performance, my face lights up. I’ve attended many parent-teacher conferences and back to school nights.
My birth daughter graduated from law school and is awaiting the results of her bar exam. I have raised a respectable, intelligent young lady, and I believe I will raise the three more children that I have, to thrive and grow, and to be vibrant, responsible adults. I did not plan to adopt because I felt fostering was enough, but I will never say never again.
For more information, please call 818-988-6300, Ext. 203.