December 14, 2023
by Maralee
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Siblings matter to children in foster care. They provide a source of stability and comfort when everything around them is changing. Whenever it’s safe and appropriate, brothers and sisters are supposed to be placed in homes together. For various reasons, … Continue reading
October 3, 2023
by Maralee
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I was at a training about a month ago where a retired judge talked about the importance of creating a welcoming climate for kids who come to court. As part of his presentation he held up a board book and … Continue reading
November 10, 2022
by Maralee
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Yesterday I was driving my six kids to a foster parent training class when one of my children said, “I want to see that Kung Fu Panda movie. The one where he finds his REAL dad.” I felt my stomach … Continue reading
August 16, 2022
by Maralee
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Dear Tavia, The day we’ve waited for is here and I can’t wait to get you all dressed up in your yellow lace dress and take you to court so we can make it official. I spent hours and hours … Continue reading
June 9, 2022
by Maralee
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For many years I have been telling nervous potential foster parents that if God is asking you to become a foster family, he is also asking your kids. I have encouraged parents to talk to their children, include them in … Continue reading
June 1, 2022
by Maralee
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A letter arrived in the mail today. It was unexpected. It had a return address I’ve seen many times before and when it’s expected, it just feels like a piece of information for me to take in. A court date. … Continue reading
April 27, 2022
by Maralee
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The question caught me off-guard, although I’m not sure why. We’ve done a lot of adoption homestudies over the years. We’ve had to answer deeply personal and invasive questions. The topic of our infertility diagnosis has been addressed and readdressed … Continue reading
March 29, 2022
by Maralee
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I should definitely be cleaning right now. In less than two hours a woman will be coming to judge my home (very literally) and I’m sure I should go take the clean laundry out of the dryer and get it … Continue reading
February 15, 2022
by Maralee
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Dear Ms. Campbell, While the two of us couldn’t seem to have more vastly different lives (you’re a famous model and mom of one, I’m a mom of 8 who just finished eating a Valentine Ding Dong treat she pilfered … Continue reading
January 12, 2022
by Maralee
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Our family is going through an unexpected loss. Our pediatrician passed away. When I told my kids, my daughter said, “And wasn’t she your friend too?” She was. Not in the way my daughter thought. I didn’t know her personally … Continue reading