Dear PTA Family,

 

May is National Foster Care Month!  It may seem like just another “Awareness” month that clogs your social media feed but it’s important to bring to light a topic that seems almost taboo in our society.  Fostercare is also known as “Alternative Care.”  It is best known as the function of removing a child from those they trust most and everything they’ve known in order to return them to safety and wellness.  It is not something we care to dwell on, and that’s ok.  But today, I ask you to take time out and ponder the other side of parenting.  The side we wish didn’t exist, but we know it does.

Fostering is near and dear to my heart.  My husband and I have fostered 10 children, 3 of which we adopted last year.  Our bio children have been exposed to behaviors and stories that I would never wish them to experience.  Our foster children have tested us, doubted us, and even loved us… sometimes in ways that may not make sense to us because that is not how we were taught to love.

Fostering is an enigmatic, exhausting labyrinth and I’ve questioned my sanity more times than I care to share.  During this whirlwind of Wonderland-esque escapades, I’ve lost my place and even felt as if I could only muster strength enough to give up.

Yet, here I am, 4 years after signing my foster parent contract, begging all of you to spend 5 minutes reading this email and sharing this infographic.

I acknowledge, your time is valuable and precious and spending it learning about this system, these families, and these children is a wonderful use of such a precious gift.

Thanks for reading, pondering, and sharing National #FosterCareMonth!

 

-Kristina Wilmoth

Wife, Mom, Advocate

Missouri PTA Public Relations Chair