What is your take on the "Home for the Holidays" annual television special?

Question

I did not watch this year's special, but I am curious to know what others in this category think of it? Do you agree with the televised special? Do you disagree? Why or why not?

http://www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org/programs/a_home_for_the_holidays.asp

Answer 1

I recorded the show and just watched it this morning.  I was a foster child decades ago. At 15 months old, I was taken away from my mother because she was "living with a man" and didn't make enough money.  There were no allegations of abuse or neglect in the court records.  Back then, there was no "reunification" plan or welfare to help her keep me.  A year later, she was told she'd never have custody of me again.  Reluctantly, she agreed to allow my foster parents to adopt me.  

Now, as a CASA volunteer, I visit weekly with a child in foster care who is available for adoption.  I'm there to help ensure she is being cared for properly and that her needs are being met.  I advocate for her in court, telling the judge what her wishes are and making recommendations so her needs are met.  See:  http://www.nationalcasa.org/  for more information on this important organization.  

Today, most US children (about 80%) end up in foster care because one or both parents are addicts.  The courts provide parents with (& pay for) 18 months to 2 years of family reunification services, including rehab, counseling, parenting classes, and other needed services to help parents keep their children.  

I was in court the day one family completed the program & their kids went home with them.  It was a joyous day!  

Sadly, for many children in foster care, their parents are (unwilling or) unable to kick their addiction, fail to attend rehab and/or don't complete the program.  The children eventually become available for adoption.

I thought "A Home for the Holidays" is great because it highlights the need for permanent homes for so many children in foster care.  It also highlights the successful adoptions of "older" children.  ALL children want a permanent home, a family of their own and parents to love them.

Answer 2

I didn't know about this until now.  I wish I could have seen it.  I don't know about "agreeing with the special" because I've never seen one, but I can say I agree there is a desperate need for foster and adoptive homes.  I've known many people who have taken in foster children.  I've seen how starved for loving families these children are.  I'm in awe of my friends who have provided homes for these children.

My husband and I adopted our daughter as an infant 16 years ago.  She is a great joy to us.  She's told me several times lately how thankful she is that we adopted her and that her birth parents (aged 15 and 17) placed her for adoption.  She feels she wouldn't have had any kind of life being raised by parents that young.

Our son seemed to feel it was a good thing, too, and talked to several of his High School classmates about adoption as an option.  There are at least two I know of who chose adoption over abortion after listening to what my son had to say about our family's experience with it.

Anything that helps kids become part of loving families needs our support.