Jodie's Foster Parent Story: It Takes a Village

Ever since I could remember I wanted to adopt a child. I never knew how I would do this, knowing adoption wasn’t cheap. Time passed and we had one biological child, Wesley. I had thought about doing foster care but it seemed like a lot of training to do if I wasn’t 100% sure it was right for my family.

When teaching 7th grade RTI math I was asked to take in a 7th grade student through foster care (kinship). At the time, I was a single mother, teacher full time and going to school for my Master’s in Education. I couldn't say no. Somewhere deep inside me I knew that this was my chance to see if this was for me. This is where my journey started. I fell in love with it right away.

A year or so later I got licensed to foster and got my first kiddo. I have been having kids in and out of my household for years now. Fostering is one of the hardest but most rewarding jobs I have ever had. I have learned far more from the kids that have come into my life than they have ever learned from me.

The most rewarding thing so far has been adopting our baby girl Zoey. Zoey came into our lives when she was 3 weeks old. We did respite for another foster family when they went out of town. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that this sweet baby girl we did respite for 3 times would be my forever daughter. Moving in with us when she was 6 months old and adopting her when she was 1.5 years old. Our family didn’t just gain a daughter. We are close with her biological family and they have been a part of Zoey’s life. They have all become family to us.

My fostering journey started with myself and Wesley (son). At the moment it is myself, David, Wesley and Zoey. We also have our loving dogs Penny, Storm, Hobbes, and cats Evie and Juno. What is beautiful is that our family is always changing. One month ago we had a perfect 2 year old boy living with us and a year ago we had a beautiful little girl with us. When they are living with us they are a part of our family, who is always welcome back. My family loves going to the cabin during the summer, the kids sporting events (Hockey), and traveling.

Along this journey I have made lifelong friends. Foster and Adoptive parents have a bond that I cannot describe. We understand situations/things that not everyone else can understand, because they haven’t been through this journey. If it wasn’t for my friends who are foster parents I wouldn’t be able to do this. We understand the highs and lows that you go through. How the rewards of being able to find the perfect forever parents for your kiddo or the child being reunited with their parents/family feels. We also understand the grieving process of the child leaving. Knowing you were able to love on a child that needed to be loved on. When they need it so badly because of being scared and lost, being able to be their rock and safety during this time is the best feeling. Then, if you are able to bring them into your life forever, nothing is better than that. All of the struggles, ups and downs are all worth it. It was a small bump in the road. But don’t get me wrong, I couldn't have done it without the support of my other foster families.

This is one of the many reasons I love Foster Together so much. They are a large reason why I am able to do this. They help you get to know people who end up being your support system. It takes a village has a whole new meaning. They help by getting you clothing when you get a new placement, giving a small gift when a child transitions out of your home or supplying a small meal when your family is struggling. The support you get through them and the people that are a part of the groups is unreal. They know what you need before you know what you need for yourself. That is because they have gone through it and can truly relate.

One of my favorite fostering memories is the call asking if we would like to bring Zoey into our home to foster to adopt, best phone call of my life. Another memory is celebrating Christmas with 2 of my foster kiddos who never had celebrated before. The kids were 5 and 6 years old but never had celebrated Christmas. This made Christmas so much more magical. The last isn’t a memory, it is being called mom by my 2 older foster kids that are grown and on their own now. I will forever be their mother. They moved out of my home but we always stayed in touch. Them calling me Mom years later is an honor. They have been through multiple homes but ours was one that they chose to come back to and be a part of. Nothing beats a visit from the kids coming home. To be a part of their journey and watch them be successful is unbeatable. To be able to help them and support them when they need it most can be life changing for them. We did this by making them feel apart and letting them know we believed in them. These kids deserve a shot in this world. It isn’t their fault that whatever they are going through is happening to them This is why I foster. Fostering has become a part of my identity, of who I am.

If you have ever had the thought of wanting to foster, please try it. There will never be a good time to get certified and you will always have an excuse why you can’t at the moment. The truth is do you want to get older and know you didn’t try everything you wanted to try in life. To know that you lived your life and could have done more. I don’t want to regret things later in life. I am so happy I took the jump. A large part of who I am today is because of the kids that have been a part of our family. I wouldn’t have my daughter if it wasn’t for fostering. If you are thinking you want to try it, do it. The worst that happens is you try it, meet some awesome people and learn it wasn’t for you. The best that happens is your life is changed for the better.

I have been so privileged to have more than 27 kids be a part of my family even if it was ranging from 1 day to 9 months or forever.

It Takes a Village | Foster Together MN

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