Being a parent is a challenging journey, but foster parenting requires an extraordinary level of courage. It involves not only welcoming a child into your home but also preparing yourself for the possibility that one day, that precious child may need to leave.
Jessica Reed, a devoted foster mom, recently opened up about her experience of saying goodbye to a baby girl who had been part of her family for six months. In a heartfelt post shared on the community page Love What Matters, Jessica described the deep emotional impact of this transition. “We didn’t win the battle,” she wrote, “and by ‘didn’t win,’ I mean I didn’t get my way.”
Jessica’s family had provided a loving environment for this little girl during her stay. Now, the child is moving to be with her biological siblings, prompting Jessica to worry about how the baby will adjust in her new home. “I hope they realize she’s a little like the Princess and the Pea; she needs a soft pillow to sleep comfortably,” she mused. “Otherwise, she might wake up multiple times through the night, trying to find comfort.”
As Jessica reflected on the baby’s unique quirks, she felt a pang of sadness over the sign language lessons they would never finish together. “She would sign ‘please’ when she was done eating, but I hadn’t gotten to ‘thank you’ yet— that was next on my list,” she lamented.
Explaining the departure to her own son proved difficult as well. “But we’re her brothers,” he responded, unable to understand why their family was changing. Jessica struggled to find the right words, realizing that some things simply don’t make sense to a child—or to herself.
In the moments leading up to the goodbye, Jessica showered her foster daughter with love, making sure she felt cherished. “I told her I loved her, squeezing her in a way that made her squirm,” she recalled. “She enjoys hugs but hates being held too tightly. I wonder how long it’ll take her new family to figure that out.”
Her writing is filled with raw emotion, and it’s evident that the pain of letting go is profound. “The heartbreak has overwhelmed me tonight. I never imagined this loss would hurt so much,” she admitted. Yet, despite the anguish, Jessica affirmed that fostering is a journey worth taking. When the call comes again to welcome another child into her home, she knows her answer will be a resounding, “Yes.” “Whether it’s for six months or forever, we’re ready,” she declared.
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In summary, Jessica’s story highlights the emotional complexities of foster parenting, showcasing both the overwhelming love that comes with it and the heartache of saying goodbye. Her experience serves as a testament to the strength of foster parents who bravely open their hearts to children in need, even when it leads to painful goodbyes.