hollykaustin

“Siblings” sharing a room

Last night we picked up Kiddo pretty late, so she had to basically come in and get ready for bed. Tiny was all wound up that Kiddo had arrived so by the time we had lights out both kids were still wound for sound. I went into our bedroom and watched the last episode ofContinue reading ““Siblings” sharing a room”

How Much Stuff do you Need to be a Foster Parent?

You need a room with a bed, a closet, and a dresser. That’s what the agency looks for and that’s how we started out. We had two room that had those basic accoutrements. However, once you’ve been doing this gig for a while you start to accumulate stuff. We started off with two twin beds.Continue reading “How Much Stuff do you Need to be a Foster Parent?”

Starfish

I’m sure you are all familiar with the starfish story. There are lots of versions of the it. Here’s one I like: One day, an old man was walking along a beach that was littered with thousands of starfish that had been washed ashore by the high tide during a storm. As he walked heContinue reading “Starfish”

Toddlers are Fascinating Creatures

I love the toddler years. I know there are people who think I’m nuts but what the body and brain are capable of in those years is remarkable and I love witnessing it. For example, I’ve got a kid who will nibble and pick at food for three days, eating a couple bites at dinnerContinue reading “Toddlers are Fascinating Creatures”

Foster Care’s Unpredictability

Learning how to roll with foster care’s ups and downs is… well honestly not completely possible. I don’t think anyone can do it perfectly and if they can then I suspect they aren’t in foster care for the right reasons. When Kiddo had been with us for about a year, we were told by herContinue reading “Foster Care’s Unpredictability”

Parenting in my mid 40s

Everyone who reads this blog should know by now that I love being a foster parent. It’s not just something I do. It’s who I am. We didn’t become foster parents until I was almost 40. Do I regret not having become foster parents sooner? Yes, yes I do. I sometimes think about all ofContinue reading “Parenting in my mid 40s”

Did we think about having our own biological kids?

No, we really didn’t. Neither Seth nor I ever felt the drive to reproduce. Heaven only knows why we are wired that way, but we both are. For me, a big part of it is the environment. I couldn’t bear to bring a child into this world and give him or her the legacy ofContinue reading “Did we think about having our own biological kids?”

Transracial Adoption Worries

As much as I say I want to adopt a child someday, I am really struggling around Tiny’s future right now. It’s unclear whether she will get to go home or not. Ultimately the decision on whether she goes home is not up to us. Not even a little bit. But I’m living with theContinue reading “Transracial Adoption Worries”

“Our story”

By request, I’m going to tell the story of how Seth and I met and a bit more about our history. And I’m making Seth add his own commentary, against his will and better judgment. After I graduated from Colby College, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I had workedContinue reading ““Our story””

Sort of Siblings

Kiddo has been with us for 5+ years, which means she’s been here for all the other foster kids we’ve had. In fact, she’s been here when we picked up Mouse and PB&J from the hospital and got dragged along for the ride. It’s really weird to have a placement arrive and not have KiddoContinue reading “Sort of Siblings”