[rhoyaltempest]

Hi Sistergreeks!

A lot of people who already have children want to adopt but don't really have the money to support more children. I used to be a foster parent just a few years ago and a lot of people don't know this but there are so many African American children that need homes that they are now asking foster parents to adopt the children they care for (if they are up for adoption)...and get this...they will continue to receive money from the gov't as well as health benefits I believe until the children are 18. But this is only for those who are foster parents first; not for those that go through straight adoption procedures. What you have to do is ask foster care for a child that is currently up for adoption and tell them that you may possibly want to adopt but you'd like to try your hand at being a foster parent first. It's also a good way to see if the child will be a good fit for your family since some of the kids (the older ones especially) have some problems that you may not want to deal with. So don't say that you definitely want to adopt because then they might try to get you to go thru the straight adoption procedures. Look up a foster care agency near you for the specifics but if you are in the Philly area, I know of some agencies so let me know. If you have any questions about foster care, let me know also. My mother and aunt were foster mothers also so we have some experience between us. There are so many children (African American children especially) waiting for homes that after my trainings and background and medical clearances, it only took about 1 month to get a child, and that's only because I specifically asked for a female between ages 4 to 7. I ended up taking a 9 year old and she was truly a blessing; she was later adopted by a single African American woman but I was asked by the agency if I wanted to adopt her first. At the time I declined because I didn't think I was ready for the long term commitment but I regret it now because I miss her so much. My mother had 2 children (they were not up for adoption); a boy and a girl (brother and sister) and she kept them for 5 years and then their paternal grandmother took them for good. Today they are teenagers and we are still in touch.