Foster kids life...summed up in 6 easy sentences. What do you think?

Question

Act good....get to stay

Act bad......go away.

Smile, laugh, and look dear,....foster parents want to keep you near

Cry, get angry, and look sad.....foster parents are getting mad

Good grades, doing well....we care about you, this is swell

Bad grades, acting out....we can't deal with this, get the h**l out.

Answer 1

SO SO TRUE!!!!! In most cases anyway....I was pretty well behaved in some of my homes, but was moved because the 'parents' felt that I was to old....everybody always wants the BABY....

Answer 2

I think it's stupid because some kids can't help feeling sad, or being angry or even crying, especially if they had to go through something horrific. If you had this in display at your home, then it would make the children feel like they have to pretend, and fake a smile every time they feel sad just so they can stay.

Answer 3

It's sad that it's so true.  It's just as sad (if not sadder?) when you replace the word "foster" with "adoptive".  Unfortunately, that happens, too.  I have a friend who felt she had no other alternative but to give her oldest adopted child up.  I so wish there were better education.  There was no reason to rip apart her family, and there is NO excuse for moving a foster child because they freakin' wet the bed (or for anything else they do)!  If a child can be safe in the home, they need to stay where they are (unless they have the opportunity to go back to the first parents, and that is a safe option).

Answer 4

((((LT))))

<3 to you from me.

I have seen it happen too many times to say that it isn't the truth for too many children.

Well done.

I need a tissue...

Answer 5

I think it's sad and understand that it came from your heart and your experience. I wouldn't want any child to grow up that way.

Answer 6

if you're presenting this ditty to a foster kid who has the choice whether or not to live with you ... oh my! that kid is probably going to run for the hills.

Answer 7

That's really good, seems to express how most foster kids feel about the system... =(

Answer 8

Looney I really truly feel sorry that you had to go through what you did. Nobody should have to.

Sadly, I think your 6 sentences sums it up pretty well.

I think once Unicef and NGO's get all 3rd world countries to tighten up their unethical adoption practices that you will begin to see a change happen within the foster care system.

Unfortunately, its an uphill battle.

Answer 9

I think it's sad but great.  For those saying you aren't very eloquent, it's obviously written in a child's voice for a situation a CHILD would be in.  It works.  If it was long, mature, and detailed, it wouldn't be as simplistic and fitting as it is.  It's very true and of course you wouldn't display it as a set of rules!

Answer 10

This is a very true statement.  Sure there are some foster parents out there for children but there are a lot of foster parents living off the money they get. Look all foster kids get free lunch, hand me down clothes and everyone's left overs then when they are just becoming adults they are kicked to the streets for after they age out they can no longer live in the same house as the other foster child. This happens not only to the bight children that can go to college and make it on there own but the slow learner special aid students that most can't even read. Answer to all this make sure ther foster parents are really there for the children, let the collage student come home if need be for the summer even if the house is full of other foster kids. Adopt first out of foster care.

Answer 11

I think that may represent your personal experiences however it's not the case with any Foster Children that my friends or I have had in our homes.  We've dealt with some very tough cases, and gladly so, for the benifit of the children involved. There are many more Foster Parents out there who are caring and committed then those that are shallow and self centered.  IMHO

Answer 12

Have you had some bad experiences?

My parents did foster care and that was not the case at all. We had a 12 year old girl that was sexually abused by her step-father and she acted out ALL the time. My parents gave her constant reassurance and love. She and her brother STAYED with us for over 2 years.

Answer 13

LT, we've been in the process to adopt from foster care for a few months now, and in those short months, it is like my eyes have been opened to a new world. And it's shameful and humbling. There are definite parallels between what my daughter went through in China and what the kids residing in foster care are going through the now. The accomodations might just be nicer. After reading the profiles, particularly from children who have moved time and time again from what seems like the smallest infractions, it does freeze you. I'm sorry you lived that.

Answer 14

Firstly, In response to Holly'sGirl<3 : Kudos to you for believing that you are a "poetry genius".  Perhaps it is true.  My guess, however, is that your "genius" consists of reading actual poet's work and writing your own poetry in your diary or blog.  Have you been published in a reputable poetry journal?  Have you studied poetry or literature in post-secondary education beyond a required first-year course?  Something tells me no.  

Unfortunately, what you fail to realize is that poetry is often written for the writer, and not for the reader.  It's meant to be an emotional outlet, and have few restrictions.  Beyond that, there are many levels of interpreting poetry.  In this case, I think it's interesting that the poem was constructed in six simple sentences.  It actually adds to the poem, rather than taking away from it, because it appears to be written in a childish format.  Sometimes, simplicity brings out the beauty of a statement.

For the OP:

It is so tragic that this is a reality for some foster children.  I think that some people begin fostering children with the idea that their care will immediately yield results - that they will change a child's life for the better.  While it might be true that they change the child's life for the better, obviously it won't be immediate.  And that disappointment might be unexpected for the foster parent.  They might begin to question whether or not they are cut out for the "job".  They might begin to get frustrated or resentful.  It's sad, but true.  I think that there needs to be a lot more education and support for people who are interested in fostering children.  I mean, A LOT.

And, as we are aware, there are also those out there who just  simply aren't fit to raise children.  I'm sorry to see that you appear to have come in contact with this sort.  :(  I hope that you have since been able to surround yourself with people who love and support you completely.

Raising a child on the best terms isn't easy.  Fostering can be difficult for everyone involved.  Unfortunately, the child is the one who pays the price when it doesn't go well.  

I know there are good foster parents out there - so here is a big THANK YOU to all of them.

Answer 15

Not bad.  Not bad at all.  Have you been there?

Answer 16

Interesting poetry!

cw

Answer 17

No offense..but some of you must not know good writing...

A 4th grader could have written this...

Yes the topic is heartwrenching..but how it's worded and written...Just anyone could have done this....

I'd use words that aren't so commonly rhymed together...

Also, poems don't have to rhyme. Anyone who says this is awsome or good..apparently don't read many poems are are just lying. I write and my fiance writes and I love reading poems.

Nice try though.

**HEY GENIUS- Yes, I am a genius when it comes to poetry. I think your poem was one of the worst ones I have ever read. It didn't hit home at all or got down to the POINT well either. So GROW UP and learn TO WRITE POETRY or accept comments. GOSH.

Answer 18

True, in general.

But for me:

Act good-foster parents don't care & LOOK for things to blame on you to make you seem like a bad person.

Act bad AKA throw fits-no different from acting good. Still punish you, & they overexaggerate the situation, making it seem worse.

Smile, laugh, & look dear-Get told how immature, crazy, & attention-seeking I "supposedly" am, & get told that I'm gonna wind up in jail or dead & deserve it.

Cry, get angry, & look sad-Same as the smile, laugh, & look dear, but add on the threat to be commited into mental institution.

Good grades, doing well-They don't care. I didn't get praise. (I graduated high school with HONORS & was punished from Sr. prom & almost punished from walking across the stage to graduate).

Bad grades-They tell you you're not college material. We all have our academic weaknesses.

Answer 19

Poignant and heartbreaking, but very honest.  Well written.