My Confession:
I am a foster parent, and my foster son does not see his siblings.
This is the hard truth of our present reality.
My foster son has not seen any of his siblings in over a year. They are scattered by geography and circumstances, connected by memories and their lasting bond.
The sibling connection can be a sensitive topic. Sometimes, siblings share trauma. Sometimes, the wounds are too fresh. Sometimes, one sibling is not ready to see another.
I make this confession with both shame and heartbreak.
I know the importance of siblings, and I know the pain he holds in not seeing them. I know he wants nothing more than to be with his family, but I cannot change the circumstances preventing him from being with them, from even seeing them.
I am a foster parent, and I am not in control. I do my darndest to love and protect and fight for all the children in my care. But my heart also breaks.
This is the hidden pain of being a foster parent.
You work to give your child strength in the brokenness, while also carrying their pain as a part of your story.
I hope for the day when the wounds of trauma don’t dictate his story. I hope for the day he can be reunited with his family. For now, I’ll strive to be a safe, loving parent, even in the pain.
~ An Anonymous Foster Parent
