Foster Kiddos

[Christian Soldier]

Hiya!

As everyone here knows (Those who don't will be sent to the re-education camps, of course), my wife and I are Foster Parents. Those are capitalized because, well, we have six foster children, plus the four that we adopted (The oldest being pregnant and about to make me a Grandfather at 29, but that's another story). Did I mention that I love kids and animals(Don't get me started)?

My six little ones all come from the same female donor(Let's not throw the "M" word around, shall we?), and they have court hearings starting today and going through Thursday or Friday, with the final court date on Oct 7th.

To say that my wife and I are conflicted would understate the issue. We want what is best for these kids, but is that us? In some ways, we are overwhelmed, but some of it is the bizaar rules concerning how we can punish. It's basically line writing and brief time-outs. That's it. Oh, and we can take away their stuff, but heaven help you if they tell their case worker that you took it all.

So yeah


Can we handle that many kids like that? We have so far, but, geez. How will it be different if the judge decides to terminate? How will the kids react to us being able to actually punish them(Pushups anyone?)? How will they react to never seeing their mom(donor) again? How will we react to their reaction(Geez, you got buff quick!)? How will our current adopted kids react(Taping the kids to things is not only fun, but it's wrong, too!)?

Of course, the case could go anywhere, but I'm pretty sure that that, unless the Mom gets before the Judge and admits to everything, this will lead to termination of parental rights. And the very next question from the Judge is going to be: will the foster family adopt(This reads: is there anyone crazy enough to adopt this many)? Of course! I say without wanting to think about it.

What I'm asking for here is His hand on the entire process. That He bless us and these little ones. I do NOT believe in sending kids to enjoy the mercies of the Foster System. It's better that we adopt them and do our best than for the system to eat them and spit out six little broken adults into the world. My older kids have shown me the damage that that can cause.

Alma seeks comfort with whatever guy will give it to her(She's very friendly)

Vivi cuts(Pretty designs...)

Nik suffers from PTSD and is terrified of being abandoned(All alone.. in the dark, and no one to hear you when you fart)

Naomi is a brat(And the most adorable three year old ever!)(Those who disagree will also be sent to the re-education camps)

So, those of you not in the camps, please pray for my little family, and God bless you all!

CS

[J Jack]

I would pray for your little family but I have read nothing that indicates the word little properly describes that.

I will pray for you and your amazing and large family. So there. Once I get back from the camps of course.

[Bethany J.]

Prayed for you, Christian Soldier! I am very interested in adoption or foster care, myself, but thus far my husband does not feel led that direction. God bless you as you minister to these little ones!

[Kristen]

Glyn, God bless you for taking in these kids and for keeping your sense of humor in the face of the sort of trauma these kids are going through. I pray the hand of The Father will be on everyone involved in these proceedings. I pray the peace of Christ will be with you all and that the Spirit will provide wisdom.

[Christian Soldier]

I. Am. Hopping. Mad.

Of course, as I stop hopping long enough to type, this could have been worse. The judge could have sent them home. But... would that actually be worse? The judge made a decision today, instead of waiting till October, because, why wait to make the decision not to make the decision?

They've been extended till February.

So, let me see. This case started back in July-ish of last year, and has been on going for a year and a half, and the female donor needs more time? Someone hit the judge in the head with common sense! Over and over and over again.

On top of the non-decision, the judge also decided to extend the visits and include family therapy for her and her kids. Good news is that it's with our therapist, not hers. Our therapist is amazing, and is going to do what is right for these kids. He cannot be intimidated into saying whatever the blank she wants him to like her therapist does.

And here's what the judge has to work with:

The service plan(Checklist the parents follow to get their kids back. Just, go to your appointments, bring the documents.) has NOT been followed. Some of the most important parts have been completely ignored (ie couples therapy, as there was some domestic violence in both parents' pasts).

The service plan has been in place since July of 2012.

Mom claims that her kids were taken illegally, and that everyone is out to get her. She takes no responsibility in her actions, and has wild claims about where all those bruises(On top of bruises) came from. Seriously, the episode that involved CPS had one of her children covered in big, angry bruises that rested on top of older ones. Her claim? They weren't there she bathed her kids the night before. Who bathes their five year old, anyway? Still, really? She told the judge all this too. Interestingly, this wasn't what got her kids pulled from her home. It was her failure to follow services.

Oh, and she neither has a means of transporting the kids nor a job to feed them with. She likes to tell folks that she has had the same job for years, but is unemployed, again, and can't hold down a job.

After all the testimony, her therapist was brought to the stand and asked what her recommendation was. It was: she's not ready.

So... here we are. I know that CPS and the kids' attorney are both pushing for termination. The entire team is, minus the mom, her attorney, and her therapist. But, seriously, if your therapist told a judge that you shouldn't have your kids back, would you EVER talk to that person ever again? So I can't blame her. I'm confused about why she was even consulted.

Speaking of which, the kids' therapist was NOT called to testify. The judge didn't want to hear his thoughts, since he has never talked to the mom.

Really?

Leading to now. I left with all of the kids asking to sleep downstairs with Mom. No storm's coming. Nothing. They KNEW that something was happening today, and these poor kids have to know that this is odd, and that this isn't right. You can tell.

Thank you all for your prayers, at least the judge didn't send them back to that, but I am extremely confused about why this is even being considered. I plan to e-mail their attorney and ask for further details today, but I doubt I'll get anything extra.

Still, counting my six little blessings, as well as my bigger four.

God Bless!

[beckyminor]

Praying that you will have a measure of strength only God can give through all this. You and your wife are amazing people for reaching out to these troubled victims of adult misbehavior! I can't even imagine the court battles and uncertainty on top of trying to parent with one hand tied.

[stormiel]

Wow, I'm amazed and impressed by you and your wife's willingness to stand through this. I work at a domestic violence shelter, I get to see a lot of what you are talking about and the mom is not always the good parent, and those kinds of moms rarely take any responsibility whatsoever for how they treat their kids. So in that sense I sympathize. I can't imagine what it must be like to be responsible for that many kids. I'm praying for your family and your sanity with the judge and the abusive mom. Also praying that you will get a better judge or that he will start acting in the kid's best interest. Hang in there.

[metalikhan]

Praying God's peace envelope you and your family during this trying challenge and his touch comforts and heals the damage these children have endured.

[Christian Soldier]

Thank you everyone! It's been rough, but the kids took it better than I thought.

[fluke]

Prayers coming, CS.

[Kristen]

Will continue to pray...