From Foster Child to Foster Mom: Amanda's Story

Welcome to my from foster child to foster mom story. My name is Amanda Emerson and I’m journeying to become a foster mom. I come from a broken home and was a foster child myself. I was adopted at the age of 10, and I learned what family is all about. My story became somewhat viral, reaching many local news stations when I was inspired to reach out to my former bus driver, Kathy, and thank her for all that she did for me at the young age of 4 years old. Link of bus driver story. I went on Fun 107, Epoch Times, Boston, and Providence news stations. I told the story of how a bus driver helped me find safety. I shared details about her coming to my home before her shift, dressing me, doing my hair, and bringing me breakfast, all of which was much needed with my situation at the time.

I have now become a teacher to pre-K age children, where I daily provide a safe and loving environment and help them build a foundation to prepare them for school. Recently, I was contacted by the state to ask if I would consider being a foster parent for a family member. It’s something I had always hoped for in the future, perhaps when my kids were older. My husband and I went through the process of being approved, and I flew out to where the baby was to hold her and stay with her for over a week. I’m overjoyed that I could help be there for her and comfort her while she was withdrawing.

The baby is now 2 months old and still in the NICU. She is still withdrawing from substances. She has a lovely foster mom in her state, who is a NICU nurse and a Christian. I thank God for sending her to the baby when she needed someone most. The baby will be leaving the hospital and the state to come to live with my family.

While most families have 9 months to accumulate the things they need, we have only had 1 month to get what we need while we are also renovating my son’s bedroom. Although we are financially stable, we would love to be able to give this baby all of our time and attention and take time away from work for maternity/paternity leave. We have been told that the benefit of childcare may not immediately be available, and we will be taking a 30-40% pay reduction to take her into our home. We are reaching out to our tribe/community members asking to help provide us with additional funds to make this transition easier on our family financially. With these funds, we hope to purchase storage solutions, a stroller, cover daycare costs until the voucher is effective, buy her clothing, diapers, and take days off freely to bring her to medical appointments and fix the backyard to provide a space for her to grow and play.

We feel blessed to bring her into our home and family and want to give her the best care and start that she can have. We don’t know if she will be part of our home forever, but she already holds a place in our hearts forever. Thank you for reading and thanks in advance for your kind donations.