A New Chapter

The holiday season has concluded, and I’ve returned to the routine of being a foster parent (not that I ever stopped being one. This role involves constant change—kids entering and leaving due to school, activities, parental visits, or moving to relatives. Fostering is a dynamic daily challenge with both highs and lows, often leaving foster parents like myself feeling overwhelmed and exhausted as we navigate through it all.

Recently, I started therapy, a step I had attempted before but couldn’t commit to due to work and life commitments. Now, with everyone in the family attending school, my schedule is more flexible. I’m grappling with anxiety, feelings of inferiority, and a sense of failure, much of which stems from my own childhood trauma. Although my parents weren’t the source, experiences with other kids, teachers, and adults in school contributed to these feelings.

In this chapter of my life, my goal is to confront and overcome my own trauma. I firmly believe that addressing my personal issues is crucial to better supporting the needs of the foster children under our care. It’s analogous to the airplane safety advice – you must put on your oxygen mask before assisting others. To be a great dad, it’s not necessary to have everything figured out, but it does require acknowledging one’s struggles and having the courage to seek help. It’s a necessary and challenging step, and I’m committed to the process. I’ll be sharing updates on the progress, so feel free to follow along.