Foster the Family

Oct 6

“And so it’s up to us to redo what was left undone. To 'baby’ the child who wasn’t babied, to step in with comfort and nurture, and to make sure they know - in their hearts, bodies, and brains - that they are safe and loved.”
Foster the Family, by Jamie Finn

I have looked forward to this book by Jamie Finn for many years. When my husband and I first started our foster journey, I ran across Jamie and Foster the Family on Instagram. I immediately felt validated in my struggles, feelings, and new reality as a foster parent by Jamie as she is the most open and honest person I have found on Instagram. I knew when she wrote this book, it would be the same.

This book is not a how-to do foster care. It is a book that will encourage you and reshape your thoughts towards everything foster care. It is not just a book for Christians. Jamie is not shy about her beliefs and uses Scripture in much of this book, however her perspective will help even those who do not identify as "religious". Finally, this is not just a book for foster parents. It is so helpful for anyone on the outside looking in. Anyone who knows someone who is a foster parent, anyone who is a case manager, GAL, or other position in "the system". Anyone who has children who interact with foster kids at school. Everyone is somehow touched by foster care and adoption, sometimes we do not know know it but foster care is all around us. Awareness is the key to the phrase you have heard many times: "Everyone can do something."

I highly recommend this book and have added it to my list of "gifts for foster parents". It has been so encouraging to me as a foster and adoptive parent and has helped me shift my perspective to one that is must broader.