Resource Parent Spotlight: Danielle & Robert
How long have you been a foster/resource parent?
Eleven months.
What drew you to becoming a foster/resource parent?
Being a foster parent is something that was placed on my heart about ten years ago, however we were young in our marriage and shortly after became pregnant with our first daughter. We then had twins a couple of years later and it took time to navigate being new parents. Eight years and three kids later God was still pulling my heart towards foster care, and my husband and I were ready and beyond excited to take that step. We can most definitely say next to raising our girls it has been the most rewarding job of our lives.
Why did you choose EA as your foster family agency?
We chose EA as our family agency because we had two friends that had also worked with and recommended them. We couldn’t have asked for a better support system, our social workers are absolutely the best!
What would you describe as the greatest challenge in fostering?
The most challenging part of foster care for us is falling in love with this amazing child and not knowing if we will be fortunate enough to see the amazing human they will grow up to be. However we have made building a relationship with bio mom a strong focus, in hopes that we do get that opportunity!
Please tell us about one of your most rewarding moments fostering.
We recently celebrated our foster child’s first birthday with a party and had bio mom there and it was so great to get to be part of that with the two of them. We could not have asked for a more beautiful day.
Is being a foster/resource parent what you expected it to be?
Being a foster parent is pretty similar to what we expected, however you can never prepare yourself for the feelings that come from loving and caring for a child whose future is out of your hands.
What have you learned from your experience? Is there anything you wish you'd known before becoming a foster/resource parent?
We have learned that there are many different walks of life, and that’s ok. All judgment and personal opinions and feelings must be left at the door because at the end of the day the only thing that matters is the well being and happiness of the child and them knowing they can count on you. We have done things as foster parents that we never thought we would be strong enough to do. The experience of being a foster parent has made us stronger people for sure.
What would you tell somebody who is thinking of fostering?
The journey of foster care has been one of the hardest but most rewarding experiences of my families lives. We would choose it again and again. I don’t know that we would have been as successful though if it wasn’t for our amazing social workers Chelsea and Morgan.