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I Grew Up In Foster Care

I want to talk about your toughest challenge. We have mentioned how hard it is to maintain connections, due to the constant moving in foster care, even when you are able to find a good home.

I wonder though, now that we are out, what is the biggest challenge you face in what I like to call "the real world"

For me it is conversation. For example, let's say you are at a friends campfire. What are the most common topics of conversation? Siblings? Parents? Childhood memories?

It is human nature to try and find a common bond with the people we talk to, especially people we are meeting for the first time. I find it a challenge to jump in on conversations of this nature, because lets face it my childhood memories are a real buzz kill.

Now that I have my own family and children, I can at least add to those kinds of conversations, but most of the conversations I find either a black hole where there should be a memory or nothing I can really talk about.

So how about you? What is your biggest challenge?
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Fungirlmmm · 51-55, F
I don't have the common denominator there because my family was the home where some kids came for refuge. I have fond memories of some of the kids and sadness when some of them were given back to their not so good families. My parents treated those kids just like they treated us. Did you ever bond with those in your foster family? I still call 2 of them my sisters and 2 my brothers. I hope that my sisters and brothers can at least hold on to the fun times we had playing in the woods or treehouse.
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Fungirlmmm Thank you! I love this. There are indeed good people out there who care for the orphaned ones as one of their own. I am quite sure those simple little memories of playing in the woods and treehouse have carried them through some dark times. (:
Fungirlmmm · 51-55, F
@Ladyred I know I remember them well. We had some great times as kids. I had one brother that would protect me even though I didnt need it. I found out later that he had spent most of his young life protecting his mom and sisters from an always angry father. That made me so sad. Today he is a medical missionary. He has 3 daughters and a son.
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Fungirlmmm Thank you! This is awesome. I love hearing success stories like this.

I was fortunate enough to have my own story kind of like this. One of the group homes I was placed in, was a boys home. Now obviously it was only a temporary placement because well, I am not a boy! (:

I was terrified that I would surely be abused in some way being with all those boys, but it was just the opposite. They took me under their wing, protected me, taught me how to ride four wheelers and bale hay. The parents sat with me every night and talked about my day, and any feelings I may be having.

It was my first experience seeing what a true family could be like. I have held tightly to these memories over the years and as I continued to be bounced from home to home, I never forgot the kindness I was shown there.

You and your parents are an example of this and from me and all the foster kids, past and present, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! 😌❤️
Fungirlmmm · 51-55, F
@Ladyred No thanks needed. My parents did what they were led to do and taught us lessons in kindness and compassion in doing so. Both myself and 2 siblings have been foster parents as adults. The legacy continues
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Fungirlmmm yaaah!!