My best friend is throwing a Foster Adopt Shower for us! I am so overwhelmed by the amount of support and encouragement surrounding our decision to adopt via domestic foster care. It's truly amazing.
Since foster/adopt showers are not as common and each family handles the foster/adoption process a little differently I have been fielding a lot of questions on what to bring and why. I thought a post might be a great way to talk about what we need and why.
Please keep in mind that not every family goes through the process exactly the same way. There are a few different routes you can take when you are getting licensed for foster care. Foster, Foster-Adopt, Adopt Only, Respite, and Safe Host are just a few of the roles in foster care. I hope to write up a post soon with more info on each of these terms and what those roles mean. For the purpose of this post we will refer to Foster/Adopt.
Brad and I currently plan to Foster-Adopt. This means that we will receive children who have been removed from their home for various reasons and we will provide a stable family environment and care for these children. Our hope is to adopt the kids we foster if reunification with their biological family is no longer an option.
Our licensing will be for children 0-6 years of age and we are hoping for siblings (2).
How does this translate to shower gifts?
Right now we are finishing up our foster care classes and inspections. Next comes the home-study. During the home-study they will be looking at our home/family and the level of care we are ready to provide....Do we have beds & linens, towels, dressers and age appropriate toys?
Even though we do not know the specific children that may come to us, we need to show that we are prepared to receive kids.
I have been told on multiple occasions that when placement happens, it happens fast. Placements occur usually in the evening after 5pm. The court dictates removal in the morning, paperwork and removal happens, calls to foster families happen and more paperwork, and then placement happens.
At this point we may or may not have a few hours to prepare for the kids arrival. The goal is to have a few days worth of items available so that Brad and I are not running to store constantly. The kids also may arrive with few of their own belongings.
Our plan is to stock up on some basics: 1 pkg of underwear, pajamas, socks, and 2 outfits in each size for each gender. This is reflected in our Target List.
The kids will grow into bigger sizes or we will exchange them for the right size after their arrival. Have no fear, I am positive every item will get used and play a vital role!
I also would like to have Pull-ups and a few diapers on hand. Some days I think "There's no way I will end up with a tiny baby." Other days I my gut instinct is to raid Babies-R-Us. During training this week one of our instructors mentioned a placement she made a few days earlier for a 22 day old infant. DAYS not weeks. So, there really is no knowing what our placement might be.
Another thing I have to keep in the back of my mind is the fact that our first placement may not be the kids we will eventually adopt. It's hard to wrap our brains around it at times but this is a very real possibility. Despite this reality, we will love them and care for these kiddos in the same manner: WHOLEHEARTEDLY. Whether the children are reunited with their biological parents or taken in by a relative, we will rejoice in God's plan and be thankful for our part in it.
Here are somethings on my list:
Boys Underwear (2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Girls Underwear (2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Boys Socks (9m, 12m, 18m, 2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Girls Socks (9m, 12m, 18m, 2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Boys Pajamas (9m, 12m, 18m, 2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
GIrls Pajamas (9m, 12m, 18m, 2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Boys Clothes (9m, 12m, 18m, 2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Girls Clothes (9m, 12m, 18m, 2T,3T,4T,5T,6)
Potty Chair
Pack & Play
Trucks & Cars
Diapers in various sizes
Wipes (lots! great no matter the age)
Mattress covers (twin, full, baby bed, toddler bed) *required
Booster seat (for the table)
baby swing/bouncer
4 Pillows (standard size for sleeping)
3 sets of Towels
Most of these items and MUCH MORE are registered for at Target:
http://www.target.com/ot/list/ksufTl8uPdwjt7rf90Lxpw
I hope this will help you in your shopping - and more importantly build better understanding of foster care! I am so thankful to have so many wonderful family and friends who are so intentional in their generousity. THANK YOU!