If you have been fortunate enough to have a stable home and have your physical and emotional needs provided for, you ought to take a moment and simply appreciate what an incredible blessing it is to have those things. Many children in the state of Texas are not so fortunate. The foster care system fights to give a second chance to children who have been born into exceptionally difficult or dangerous situations, but the needs are far greater than the number of families who are willing or able to take in foster children.
A loving foster family is a crucial lifeline to many children who are placed in the foster system. The reality of the situation for many of the children in the system is that they may miss out on fundamental life lessons and be left without practical tools for building a life on their own once they age out of the system.
While the Lone Star state has always revered the notion of the self-made person, there is no doubt that having a basic support structure to call family where you can learn the fundamentals of caring for yourself and providing for yourself is crucial to everyone. Being a foster parent or adopting a child not only offers them practical help in having their needs met, it also gives them a chance to learn how to live life sustainably. Many children in the foster care system are without any good examples to model their choices on, leading to destructive cycles that can be very hard to break.
The lack of foster care providers with big hearts and clear heads is an epidemic in Texas. If you have been considering becoming a foster parent or adopting an older child, do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced family law attorney who can help you evaluate your circumstances. With proper legal guidance, you can prepare yourself to provide a loving home to a child who desperately needs intentional and loving care.
Source: Houstonia, “Roxanna Asgarian,” Roxanna Asgarian, Jan. 23, 2017