Foster ME

Growing up in foster care is really hard. Actually, it's a lot harder than people may think. I remember being in one of my foster parents home and her daughter would go on rants about foster kids. She'd say things like "These foster kids got it good," or "I don't know why these foster kids think everybody owes them something". I used to wonder what foster kids did to her to make her say these crazy things. I would sit and think "Do I come off as if the world owes me something?". All I could remember was this crazy empty feeling in my heart. I just wanted a mother- my mother. Now that I'm older I say, unless you've actually experienced foster care, you'd never understand. Can you imagine being snatched away from your parents? I bet you $50.00 the answer is no. Don't get me wrong, my mother was no saint and she made plenty mistakes; however, I felt like I fit into her world so perfectly. Tell me something... Have you ever been around a group of people and felt out of place? It's like everyone is connecting with each other- except you. That's how foster kids feel going into new homes. We never really fit into the homes they place us in. Not to mention, the love is never the same. And that really makes that empty feeling we get in our chest much worse. Some kids go into foster homes and don't feel any love at all. They get used for a check. I can actually remember going into one home and not eating for days, because she never bought groceries to cook and when she ate out she'd only take her kids. Could you imagine being taken out of a home because the state determined your parent "unfit", only to be placed in a home that was a lot worse? Don't get me wrong there are a lot of wonderful foster parents in the world, but there are a hell of a lot of bad ones too. We deal with so much mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically. To go into a home while you're traumatized and distraught is a lot, so having to deal with any extra bull crap can cause more damage. You know, I can guarantee that the last thing most foster kids think is that they're owed anything. We all just want a fighting chance. We're fighting for a better life! We want our future to look as bright as everyone else', and we want genuine love. I don't think that's too much to ask for. So if you know foster kids, or may have any, keep this one thing in mind- You were born with the ability to change someones life. Don't ever waste it.