Jamaal and I have been discussing looking into foster care (it's something I've been wanting to do literally since I was a young child--Jamaal has been pretty skeptic, but is now begining to open his mind to the idea). We would most likely look for a baby because of the limited space in our apartment, possibly one with medical problems (as I am almost done with my nursing school).
Well, this evening Jamaal and I were talking about the details (we'd have to install a door for DeVante's room-which he would officially share w/the potential baby, although we'd probably co-sleep "off the books", where we would take the "trainig classes", etc) and DeVante, who is 5 and a half asked me what foster care was.
I told him that I would have to think of a good way to answer it so that he could understand. Well, he's in bed, and he'll probably bring it up tomorrow morning (lol, he ALWAYS remembers my stalled answers, which is good) and I'm still not sure what approach that I'm going to take with this.
In my state (or county at least) many of these children have been legally removed from the parents due to neglect, homelessness, abuse, etc. MOST are not eligable for adoption, and many will be in foster care for years and years. I want to tell him the truth, and at the same time not come off as judgemental towards the parent(s) of these children (ie I don't want to say something like "The mommies didn't take good care of the children, so other mommies take care of them and love them etc").
Any advice about how to handle this will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!
Best Wishes, Kelly
(PS-Just a note that I'm cross posting this in TAO and Parenting Isssues)
Well, this evening Jamaal and I were talking about the details (we'd have to install a door for DeVante's room-which he would officially share w/the potential baby, although we'd probably co-sleep "off the books", where we would take the "trainig classes", etc) and DeVante, who is 5 and a half asked me what foster care was.
I told him that I would have to think of a good way to answer it so that he could understand. Well, he's in bed, and he'll probably bring it up tomorrow morning (lol, he ALWAYS remembers my stalled answers, which is good) and I'm still not sure what approach that I'm going to take with this.
In my state (or county at least) many of these children have been legally removed from the parents due to neglect, homelessness, abuse, etc. MOST are not eligable for adoption, and many will be in foster care for years and years. I want to tell him the truth, and at the same time not come off as judgemental towards the parent(s) of these children (ie I don't want to say something like "The mommies didn't take good care of the children, so other mommies take care of them and love them etc").
Any advice about how to handle this will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!
Best Wishes, Kelly
(PS-Just a note that I'm cross posting this in TAO and Parenting Isssues)
