The Heart of a Foster Mom: Why I Keep Going

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If you are a parent, grandparent, daycare provider, or foster parent, you know the daily rhythm of caring for children can be both exhausting and rewarding at the same time. Some days, the weight of responsibility feels overwhelming, messy rooms, school reports, therapy appointments, and endless schedules. I often find myself asking, What have I gotten myself into?

Five years ago, I thought my season of caring for little ones had come to an end. I imagined traveling with my husband, enjoying time with my older children as we did during our temporary relocation to Germany for his job. Those years were filled with adventure, including visits to beautiful destinations and cherished memories in one of my favorite cities, Paris, before we returned home to the US. I told myself that the next time I would care for young children would be years down the road, by God’s grace, when my own children blessed me with grandchildren, children I could love and spoil, knowing they would each time return to their parents after time with grandma and grandpa.

But God had other plans...

Two years ago, God placed three adorable siblings in my care — children in need of stability, love, and a safe home. At first, we believed their stay would be short, just a few months, since their case seemed less complex. But that wasn’t the case. Their journey with us has stretched far beyond what we expected, reminding me that fostering is never simply temporary it is a calling. And so, my journey as a foster mom continues, not as a detour, but as an assignment entrusted to me by the Lord for this season.

There are moments when the exhaustion is real, when I question the sacrifices my family and I make. But then I remember my why. This is not just parenting; it is a divine calling, a. God has entrusted me with these little ones, and until He says the assignment is complete, I will keep going. As Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Nothing truly worthwhile comes without sacrifice. And at the end of the day, it is worth it; worth it when these children experience joy, healing, and hope for a future brighter than the circumstances they came from.

And so, my why keeps me going especially in this season, when the tears and tantrums come as little hearts ache for mom and dad. There are no upcoming visitations, no presents arriving from familiar faces, no parents or relatives in the audience at holiday shows, no family photos to mark the season. In those moments, all they have is us. And just as we have done for the past two years, we will continue to pour our love, energy, and creativity into making sure these children experience a Christmas filled with joy, warmth, and memories worth keeping.

This is the heart of a foster mom: to keep going, even when it’s hard, because the outcome is worth the sacrifice.

Stopping here for now—I’m about to take my 7‑year‑old to her follow‑up therapy appointment. See you next time.

Thank you for reading!