Tell me what you really think.
I went looking for you on Yahoo but you weren't there. This is the worst and best time of year to consider the children who are neglected. I know that in addition to your indignation and anger you give,give, give of yourself- as much as you can to as many as you can.
You are so right and this one hits close to home for me. My X has paraded one man after another through her home. Married a child molester and druggie who then ODed and people still see her as the better parent because I am gay and have my partner of 4 years living in the home. People just dont' get it sometimes.
I worked for an agency that worked with Children's Services. I provided reunification services to parents who had lost their children or were in danger of losint their childrena and all I can say is AMEN.
AMen..you tell it so well!! You wonder what this world is gonna be like when those children grow up?? Carol
Over here children from bad homes are taken to foster parents where some of them for the first time experience that grownups actually care for them! But the foster parents get some money for taking care of these poor children so after a while the government office decides to bring these children back to their real parents although NOTHING HAS CHANGED!
But look at all the money we safe and we can spent on whatever!
Makes me sick.
As you have done to the least of these ...
-G
I'm with you in spirit, but I lack the energy for any real outrage anymore. I've been in the homes, and seen how these 'parents' are caring for thier children. I just can't spare the energy to be angry anymore. I'm just saddened, and I try to do whatever I can.
The children I see at my children's school that are supposedly from "good homes" and the children you describe break my heart. Unfortunately, they are finding fewer and fewer of us that will give our time, money or energy to try and make things right. Thank you for the reminder to keep fighting for these kids. Every. single. one. of them deserves more than their good-for-nothing parents can even fathom.
As someone who works with foster kids through my CASA work (http://www.voices4children.com), I've seen lots of parents and heard lots of stories, both positive and not. The only way that I can keep doing what I do is by focusing on the 14 year old boy that I'm assigned to. It's like the beached starfish story - I probably can't help them all but I can definitely help this one.
Well said. Indeed.
Unfortunately, children do not fare better in foster care. Research has shown that most adults in homeless shelters were in foster care.
At one time I headed a program for teenagers in foster care and they were a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit. What we can do is give these children words of praise and encouragement and the gift of time. Volunteer for CASA or Big Brothers Big Sisters, if you can't, then write a check to any organization who works with kids, make a difference. You may not ever see the results of your gift but believe me it WILL make a difference.
I have mixed feelings on this. I've heard too many horror stories about immigrant parents who lost their children over stupid things, cultural differences that they weren't aware about, and who couldn't fight the bureaucratic machine because they didn't know enough English and weren't connected enough. An acquaintance used to have a part-time job translating at court hearings. She had to quit the job because she couldn't take it, the emotional stress was too much. When my kids were little, I was afraid of criminals, pedophiles and the CPS, and I cannot tell you which of the three scared me more.
Let's hope that when these decisions are being made, that they are being well thought out. Otherwise, our tax dollars are being spent on breaking up perfectly functional families. I do not think we can afford to make mistakes here.
How are fostered children affected by the No Child Left Behind policy? Have there been any reports on this subject? And speaking of no child left behind how about this story? Judge supports Bush in No Child Left Behind ruling, similar lawsuits have been filed across the nation, but this was the first case to be reviewed. Can America afford to leave even one child behind in the new world of global competition? Raymond B
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