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Being a foster parent is no easy task. Deciding to take in a child (or children) that has presumably been through a lot in their short life, you are filling the role of a parent that the child desperately needs. Aside from ensuring that the foster child is comfortable, happy, and safe in their new environment, many foster parents wonder if the child will ever see them as their parent. They imagine being addressed as “mom” and “dad”, which truly signifies that the foster child feels like a real part of the family.
Foster parent Jamie knows this experience all too well. When she welcomed a 2-year-old foster child into her home, she knew that the young girl had already been to 4 different homes. Considering the child had been in the foster care system for just 5 months, Jamie could tell that the hardened child knew “the drill”.
Jamie was thrilled to see her other children welcome the 2-year-old with open arms: “The other kids are the welcoming committee, the tour guides, and the concierge service for our little residence (“You’re here! Want to see your bed? Want a baby doll? Want a snack? I love you!”). They’re the key to a new child feeling at home. Nothing makes me feel prouder of my bios than watching them do this. Nothing makes my fosters feel more like “mine” than watching them follow suit.”
But her joyful day didn’t end there. After just a mere 11 minutes of touring the home with her other children, the young girl ran back into the room and exclaimed “look, mommy!” to Jamie.
Jamie recalls the amazing moment in a Facebook post: “She wanders around with the other kids for approximately 11 minutes before she runs into the room with a smile and says, “Look, mommy!” To me. The woman she met 11 minutes before.To this little girl, “mommy” meant the female adult of the house, the lady who reached something you couldn't and refilled your juice. Having five “mommies” in five months, she hadn’t yet had the chance to learn what mommy meant.”
The foster mother was comforted and understandably blown away by the tiny girl’s words. It was such a true sign that the child finally felt safe and at home with Jamie and her family.
“She was only two years old, though, with a biological mom working hard to get her back and a foster mom willing to step in if she couldn’t. This little girl had the hope of learning that mommy isn’t just what you call a female who helps you, of forgetting that mommy could ever be just a name. This little girl would know what mommy meant. This little girl would have a mommy.”
Thank goodness for foster parents like Jamie who go out of there way to make sure their foster children feel loved and included. We’re so happy that the young girl found her forever home and someone to call “mommy”. This story is truly heartwarming.
