July 15, 2019
by Maralee
4 Comments
Can I be honest? Today I hate foster care. I hate what it has done to people I love– adults and children alike. I hate how hopeless it has made me about the government’s ability to do anything right. I … Continue reading
June 14, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
Dear Foster Dads, I can’t tell you how many women I talk to who tell me some variation of “I would love to take a foster child into our home, but my husband. . . he’s just not behind the … Continue reading
April 11, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
The other day my oldest son had his first packet of ramen noodles. I remember eating these occasionally when I was little and making them in my dorm room through college. When we were houseparents at a group home ramen … Continue reading
November 7, 2018
by Maralee
5 Comments
The other afternoon I locked myself in my bathroom with a cup of coffee so I could listen to a radio interview without interruption. The interview was with someone very important to me. He was once a child at the … Continue reading
September 14, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Foster Care is Uncomfortable (Radio Interview)
Once a year I get to have a conversation about foster care with MyBridge Radio. I love getting this chance to address some of the common reasons why people won’t become foster parents. I love sharing our story and it’s … Continue reading
June 28, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Mary Poppins was a Foster Mom
I watched Mary Poppins the other night the way I watch most movies these days: a kid in my lap, a kid on either side of me, and a kid laying on the back of the couch behind my head. … Continue reading
March 13, 2018
by Maralee
2 Comments
As part of the therapy offered to the children at the group home we worked at, kids took horseback riding lessons. While we houseparents were not required to attend these lessons, I snuck my way in by showing up at … Continue reading
February 28, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on The Big, Beautiful Story of an Open Adoption
This last weekend was a big one for our family. Our son got to meet his birthfamily for the first time since he was just a few weeks old. We were invited to a family wedding on pretty short notice, … Continue reading
January 23, 2018
by Maralee
2 Comments
I majored in psychology and sometimes I felt out of place in my classes. I was a Thinker in the midst of people who felt called to study psychology in part because of their deep connection to their own feelings. … Continue reading
January 18, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Sex Trafficking is YOUR Problem (and one thing you can do to help)
I’m going to be really honest with you about the evolution of my understanding of sex trafficking. I’m wondering if maybe it’s been your process, too. Step 1: Sex trafficking is a really bad thing that happens in other countries … Continue reading