Probably about 20 years ago, my sister called to say they were making out their will and asked if we would take the kids if anything ever happened to them, we said yes immediately. It was not until a few years ago that I learned we hadn't been her first choice!
She'd asked our Mom if she and Dad would take in her little orphans and admitted she was a bit surprised when Mom had said no. Her reason being that they were old. Oh, how I can relate to that statement now! Can't you?
But family's family!
I have no doubt that if circumstances had arisen and someone had to step up to keep any of their grandchildren out of foster care (or an orphanage, sister!), Mom and Dad would have headed up a grandfam in a heartbeat.
So did we, all, when it came down to it because here we are mid-life (or beyond!) with children in the home. God bless you, by the way, for you are doing a great and wonderful thing!
I knew even before I actually looked them up that the numbers were going to be high. But I was floored by what I discovered! And these statistics were collected from the census in 2010. I have no doubt they are even higher now.
Our children are in crisis.
Kinship Care is defined by the Division of Family Services as a grandfamily with the following exception: When a foster youth is placed in an agency arranged relative or kinship placement and the placement provider successfully completes the licensure process, that provider will be eligible to receive a monthly maintenance rate equal to that of the traditional foster care payment, plus the $100.00 professional parent incentive rate each month.
Did that last statistic sink in, by the way?
• For every child being raised in the foster care system, nearly 25 are being raised by grandparents or other relatives outside the system.
The ratio number is for every 1 child in Kinship (Foster) Care. Let me say it one more time...
25:1
25:1
I am happy for those children that had family members step up and rescue them from what must feel like total abandonment during a terrifying time in their lives. No matter how crappy our living situations are, it becomes the norm, you know?
Excuse me while I shout, "Hurray for us!"
The vast majority of us saw a child in need and acted. Whether you were responsible for actually removing them from an unsafe living situation or you immediately agreed when asked if you would take these children into your home, thank you!
You can be responsible for breaking the cycle that has spiraled more out of control generation after generation. You are teaching a child about unconditional love first hand.
THAT is a powerful tool, my friend!
Statistics, also, show that children raised in grandfamilies thrive. Can't ask for a better outcome than that! I am so proud of you, Grands! Baby Boomers may be blamed for having accelerated this tailspin to warp speed, but we unwittingly took our queue from the liar.
We kissed the frog. 😒
We're obviously having a change of heart.
The last statistic on this list blows me away, too.
Are you starting to feel like Atlas?
We have shouldered a lot! But we will endeavor to persevere! This mountain of broken souls (children and their parents alike!) is a heavy burden to bear, but together (*looking up* And with Your help, Jesus!), we will move it!
The majority of information was taken from Generations Unite. I encourage you to check it out. There is a wealth of information on that site alone!
Even though sometimes I know it feels like it, you are far from being alone in this situation. There are 2.7 million more of us rooting you on! Speaking of making noise... Feel free to leave a comment here or over on the Facebook page.
See you next time!
Love,
C
Will and Testament Image Courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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