Foster Parent Chronicles

08/04/2026

It’s official we got the new birth certificates and I’m officially listed as my young men’s mother. They are officially recognized as my sons. It’s been over 7+ years after a nasty divorce. God is good

07/08/2026

05/26/2026

I’m so excited Wednesday is adoption day…..

05/24/2026

CUA has never been on the list of likable to me for many reasons. Here’s one for you: I have contacted this worker over 3 days informing her that her new placement has ran away. No call or email has been made with a response. Me being me, someone that cares about all parties would want to call to hear the story with questions. Remember this is a 14 year old child. If the state don’t care what are the expectations of those that care for these babies under their watch. So many of these babies are fighting for their life and dealing with a system of failure that they can’t recognize healthy placements. This one hit heavy for me.

05/22/2026

We run from life happenings… from marriage, friendships, relationships, and even our faith when disappointment, pain, or fear shows up. Yet in every one of those spaces, God remains present. Not with condemnation, not with a list of failures, but with grace, patience, and understanding.

The struggle is that while God covers with compassion, we often respond with judgment — toward others and toward ourselves. We label people by their worst moments, distance ourselves when things become uncomfortable, and sometimes walk away before healing has the chance to begin.

Spiritual maturity is realizing that not every hard season is meant for escape. Some moments are meant for growth, reflection, forgiveness, boundaries, and deeper faith. God doesn’t abandon us in the mess; He meets us there.

Sometimes the healing begins when we stop asking, “Who failed me?” and start asking, “What is this season trying to teach me?”

Because love rooted in God does not pretend pain doesn’t exist — it simply refuses to let pain become the final answer.

05/22/2026

Runaway out there…

So now that the honeymoon phase is over and he acquired a few things, he decided it was time to go. Waited until I left for work and took off. I texted him on the new phone and told him to keep going — there’s no returning to my address, and taking property is still stealing.

His response? “You’re not Godly enough for me. I need better.”

And honestly… I’m never mad at anyone who recognizes what they need and makes hard decisions for themselves.

That includes our foster youth.

Every child is not going to be the right fit for your home, your structure, or your family dynamic. And every placement is not meant to last forever. Sometimes the best thing you can do is document, report, submit the removal letter, and keep moving forward without bitterness.

Fostering isn’t always heartwarming moments and happy endings. Sometimes it’s boundaries. Sometimes it’s disappointment. Sometimes it’s protecting your peace while still caring from a distance.

NEXT…..

05/18/2026

This is what happens to the children in the system in real time . The system is the worst and they don’t care. They’re just dropping off children and telling you their case load is heavy. I don’t give a damn about your load. This is someone’s life, someone’s child and now mine. Give me the information and you watch me do what you should be and should have done.

Good morning ! Speaking to ######x and we talked about summer school. He wants to go and needs to be registered as soon as possible. The school is High School of the Future starting 6/22 to 7/23 from 815 to 130p everyday. Please advise how we can get this done. For now time is moving by fast and he’s idling and there’s not much I can do because I have nothing to go on to help your advocate for him.
Thanks and have a great day

My letter to CUA:

05/18/2026

What fostering DOESN’T always look like: perfect family photos, soft music, and magically healed children.

Sometimes fostering looks like this:

A new teen comes into the home and the conversation from the others becomes:
“Don’t change them… inspire them to be like you and your days here will be long.” 😩😂

By the end of the FIRST night, the “inspiring youth” have somehow changed too… and the new teen swears they had NOTHING to do with it.

Meanwhile, me sitting up past curfew is already a major life event because in 7 years I don’t even stay up this late unless something has gone LEFT.

So now:
📵 No phones for a week.
🚫 Don’t ask to go nowhere because clearly curfew cannot be trusted right now.
💵 Also, since this turned into after-hours counseling and group therapy, everybody owe me $20 an hour for my time.

Lights out at 10:30 PM.
And you BETTER be up for school on time with NO issues this week. PERIODT.

But this is also fostering.
Structure. Redirection. Patience. Consequences. Conversations. Humor. Grace. Starting over the next morning.

These kids will test limits before they trust love.
And sometimes the goal isn’t perfection — it’s consistency.

To every new foster parent:
You are not failing when the house gets loud, messy, emotional, or exhausting. You are building safety in real time. And trust me… some of the best breakthroughs come right after the hardest nights. ❤️ Bridgette Martin

05/14/2026

Well finally the time is coming after over 7 years, a divorce, my mom passing and here we are finally

Hi Ms Bridgette - in talking to the attorney, she’s trying to get the boys on the schedule for 5/27