We Thought Our Parenting Days Were Over

When our youngest left for college, I looked at Robert and said, "What do we do now?" We had four bedrooms, a lifetime of parenting experience, and an empty house that was way too quiet.

A friend at church mentioned foster care. We'd never really considered it — we thought foster parents were young families just starting out. But at our orientation, we met couples our age, even older, and the agency told us they were THRILLED to have experienced parents.

Turns out, the system desperately needs families willing to take babies and toddlers, especially for short-term emergency placements. With our kids grown, we had the flexibility to take a call at 2 AM and have a crib set up by morning.

In three years, we've had eleven placements — mostly babies and toddlers who needed somewhere safe while the system figured out next steps. Some stayed for a weekend, some for months. Each one was hard to let go of. But we've learned to hold them with open hands.

The hardest part? Watching a baby go back to a situation you're not sure about. The best part? Getting a photo two years later of a smiling toddler who's thriving.

Our own kids think we're a little crazy. But they also say they've never been prouder of us. If your nest is empty and your heart has room — there are children who need exactly what you have to offer.