What Is a Foster Father or Adoptive Father?
Nothing brings tears to my eyes like the song by Holly Dunn, Daddy's Hands. Nothing gets to my husband like the song by Bob Carlisle, Butterfly Kisses. There is just an extra special connection that most kids have with their fathers and fathers with their kids. So when my husband gets to interact with a child who has never had a real relationship with a father figure, it really gets to me.
Last year we had a situation that caused me to stop and think about my husband and the skill he has for working with kids. I watched my husband, who is a foster parent as well as an adoptive parent, interact with a child. We had just met the little boy and he was to come spend the weekend with us for a pre-placement visit. My husband had squatted down and was talking to him, explaining how plans had changed and we might have to wait for another weekend. One of the workers leaned over to me and whispered, “Your husband is good.” I nodded in agreement. “He loves children,” I replied as we watched this little boy touch my husband’s hands as they spoke. I never realized how good he really is with kids, but it made me wonder; what makes him such a good father?
I attempted to list out a few ideas with my newest article What Is a Foster Father or Adoptive Father?. Add to this list in the comments section by clicking "comments" below.
Wow, good list, Carrie.
As a former foster dad and adoptive father forever, I’d just like to add a couple of things:
* Reading to the children in your home. If a dad will take time to read stories to kids, and do so in a way that makes the stories come alive, it opens a whole new world to those kids. When reading is easy and enjoyable, college educations become second nature, and a million new worlds are opened to you… worlds far richer and healthier and deeper than what you will find on television.
* Sticking to your principles and promises even when it hurts. Again, when kids see that Dad always values integrity far more than expediency or comfort, they will embrace integrity as well. (Eventually!)
Looking forward to Fathers’ Day, and honoring those who have “fathered” me through my life…
– Nic
Nic,
What awesome additions to the list!
In case no one has thanked you yet, Thanks for everything you do!