I say "hello again" because it's been a long time since I've been here.<br>
I say "kind of" because I was never that regular here.<br>
But I'm finding myself in need of some like-minded mamas with similar experiences so here I am.<br><br>
A little intro, to start--I'm a 36 yo NJ native, very happily married, SAHM to 4 kids. Dd is 9, Ds is 8, they are my bio-kids.<br>
Ds2 is 4, he was a foster baby that came home to us as an infant from the hospital where he was born. Dad unknown, no bio-family ever involved, still took a long time to adopt him (surprise!) Right before he turned 2, a baby half-brother was born. They called us, we said yes. He started visits with his parents a few weeks after he came home to us (also came to us from hospital). At first it was extremely difficult for me but as time went on, it became a blessing instead. We have a good relationship. It's still amazing to me that Ds2 got to meet his mom, we never ever thought we would.<br><br>
They have done so well, completed rehab, got engaged, etc, etc. But after 2 years, still no job nor home and the state was pushing for termination of their rights. We had a mediation and they relinquished their rights to us. It was very emotional and dh and I had to grieve for them. We exchanged safe phone #s and addresses.<br><br>
We were supposed to have one last visit (they got rides to our county) and they didn't show. I think it was too soon, too hard, because we got to try again a few weeks later and it was fine.<br><br>
Bio-mom and I text regularly and I have mailed them some things.<br>
I haven't mentioned visiting in person yet, even though I am open to it, because I want to just take it slow and see how just going in touch goes.<br><br>
So that's it in a nutshell, there are of course tons of details left out here.<br>
I'm mainly wondering if there are any mamas here navigating open adoption after foster care?
I say "kind of" because I was never that regular here.<br>
But I'm finding myself in need of some like-minded mamas with similar experiences so here I am.<br><br>
A little intro, to start--I'm a 36 yo NJ native, very happily married, SAHM to 4 kids. Dd is 9, Ds is 8, they are my bio-kids.<br>
Ds2 is 4, he was a foster baby that came home to us as an infant from the hospital where he was born. Dad unknown, no bio-family ever involved, still took a long time to adopt him (surprise!) Right before he turned 2, a baby half-brother was born. They called us, we said yes. He started visits with his parents a few weeks after he came home to us (also came to us from hospital). At first it was extremely difficult for me but as time went on, it became a blessing instead. We have a good relationship. It's still amazing to me that Ds2 got to meet his mom, we never ever thought we would.<br><br>
They have done so well, completed rehab, got engaged, etc, etc. But after 2 years, still no job nor home and the state was pushing for termination of their rights. We had a mediation and they relinquished their rights to us. It was very emotional and dh and I had to grieve for them. We exchanged safe phone #s and addresses.<br><br>
We were supposed to have one last visit (they got rides to our county) and they didn't show. I think it was too soon, too hard, because we got to try again a few weeks later and it was fine.<br><br>
Bio-mom and I text regularly and I have mailed them some things.<br>
I haven't mentioned visiting in person yet, even though I am open to it, because I want to just take it slow and see how just going in touch goes.<br><br>
So that's it in a nutshell, there are of course tons of details left out here.<br>
I'm mainly wondering if there are any mamas here navigating open adoption after foster care?
