Foster Parents

So many people ask us why foster care? We like to say why not? There are so many kids out there who have parents who don't know how to be parents, these kids desperately need parental role models and someone to love them and guide them. What better two people than us. We are both college educated, combat veterans, independent and motivated. So many people are having kids these days, who says thats what you HAVE to do. We both like to be different and not follow the norm. For example, I refuse to drive a mini van or a station wagon... my Mom drove both. I don't want to conform to the fact that if I have kids this is what I have to drive because thats what the masses are driving. So why not do foster care? People who are having kids are also complaining about the cost of having and raising those kids.  Doing foster care the state provides for the kids that come into our home and gives them practically everything they need, at no cost to us. All we have to do is love, protect and guide these kiddos. I like to think that we are almost like protective custody for these kids, there own personal body guards. We have 2 kids right now, 2 girls not related to each other. For there safety I will refer to them as A and J, A is 8 years old and J is almost 4 months. I cant talk about there back ground but I can say they are both improving with us. J being only 4 months our biggest complaint is the interrupted sleep other wise she is pleasant in every way. A is what I will call a little spit fire, she may be 8 but she at times acts like she is 16... we are in for a long journey with her. She knows how to behave... when she wants to, to the rest of the world she looks and can act like a cute little 8 year old girl. At home she battles us daily desperately fighting us for control, she in her past 8 years has had to be a little more grown up than needed and we are now trying to teach her how to just be an 8 year old. To sum her up... A wants, what she wants when she wants it.... NOT IN THIS HOUSE! She's having a hard time accepting this but is slowly but surely getting it. As I type she is currently grounded... grounded in our house is in your room doing school worksheets all day... what kid wants to do that? She does NOT like it but for some reason still struggles with the rules and ends up being grounded several times a week. Consistency is what these kids need and that is what we are giving them. Everyday is a new adventure, we tell our 8 year old every day that each and every day is a new day. I chose my blog title based on this, Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Today we try to make a difference in hopes that it will be used tomorrow and forever.