But there is an entire world of children in foster care that have passed that “cradling age”. They don’t fit the mold when it comes to how we traditionally welcome new family members into our homes and lives because they are not “new”. In fact, some of them may be growing rapidly into their own adulthood and could possibly care for themselves acceptionably, though not ideally.

So what is the point then of adopting a child from foster care that has already reached that stage and why should you do it? Why is it so important?

It all comes down to these simple truths. Because even though they are not babies, they are still children. Because we know based on statistics that none of us are as successful alone as we can be when we are together. Because everyone needs and deserves a family.  

According to Childrensrights.org, more than 20,000 children age out of the US foster care system each year once they turn 18 years old.

Do you remember yourself at 18 years old? Or 16? Or even 14?

Did you have the skills and abilities and the judgment to handle the next phases of your life?

Did you know how to drive, get an apartment, finish or begin college courses, have the interview skills to land a decent job?

Did you know how to get your credit score? A new car loan? A mortgage?

Where did you spend Christmas or Thanksgiving? Or your birthday?

Childhood doesn’t stop when you stop being little. It stops when you have become a successful adult and often that is not at 18 years old.

Still not convinced that you could take on an older child, consider this;

1. They sleep through the night, and sometimes most of the morning too.
2. They don’t need shots and checkups as often as a new baby.
3. They often are great conversationalist; you will enjoy their company and companionship.
4. They tie their own shoes, button their own coats, and wipe their own noses.
5. No potty training.
6. No bottles, sippy cups, or diaper bags.
7. They are eager to learn and will teach you some things too.
8. You won’t have to guess favorite colors, favorite foods, and favorite songs because you can just ask.
9. They enjoy being with friends, playing sports, attending clubs and other activities independently so you won’t have them “underfoot” as often as their younger counterparts.
10. They know how to be “real”. They can read your emotional cues when you have a bad day or a fantastic day that deserves celebration.

There are so many benefits to adopting an older child from foster care. If you still need some more convincing, a good place to start is with mentoring to this age group through local clubs and organizations. I think you will be absolutely convinced after just a few visits.

Or, take a cue from your brave and fearless teenage self and just jump in.

The post What Is The Point of Adopting An Older Child From Foster Care? appeared first on Adoption Point | How to Adopt, Place or Parent a Child.

There are all kinds of reasons that bring children into care; the most common reason being neglect, with 61% of the children having that as their reason for removal and placement. Neglect covers a multitude of issues that don’t quite fit into other categories. The runner-up? Drugs. 26% of children are removed from their caregivers who are using drugs. In either case and for children to come into foster care, there must be the reason to believe they are at imminent risk. So that means the concern isn’t simply a missed meal or overdue bedtime.

The children coming into care need a supportive, loving, consistent, and safe place to be while their caregivers or parents get their own lives together. For many years this need was likely filled by extended family, nearby friends, or the children themselves. Early in the nation’s history indentured servitude of children was also commonplace. Foster care’s roots began long before there was any involvement of the government or other agency to supervise. It was often handled within the church. However, in the 1900’s, social services began to take hold and form what is now known far and wide as the US Foster Care system.

So what is the point of foster care you wonder? Without foster care, those 437,465 children in 2016 alone could be wandering aimlessly, in need of medical care, in need of food, in need of school supplies, a warm bed, or a safe hug. So who takes responsibility for our nation’s most vulnerable population? Especially when the amount of need is so daunting? Who could we count on to spend countless days and nights awake rocking babies or potty training, or enrolling children in school, making sure they have their annual physicals, and they make their dental appointments? The need for help became so great that group homes were overrun. Children were becoming “just a number” rather than family and missing out on the social piece of their development that was so vital to their success as adults and parents later in life.

This is where social service agencies and foster parents step up. They take on the task of fixing and counseling and mentoring and they do it “until” –which is never defined. And they do it anyway. Even if the children stay years longer, even after they return back to their parents most of the time. Even when it seems the county is ungrateful, the birth parents are inconsistent, and the children are endlessly in need of more resources.

That is why we have foster parents. So that of those 437,465 children, nearly 60,000 a year can be adopted and another 125,975 can hopefully reunify successfully with their families. So that children can grow up in families and not in group homes. So that they will have adults who can help them build strong connections and find resources. So that those children can hopefully make good choices and raise their kids successfully without foster care intervention.

We have foster care so that someday in a perfect world, with enough education, and resources, and love, we won’t need foster care.

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