Here's Penny

#GIVEAWAY - In #fostercare, a phone call for placement can happen at any time. Over the years, we’ve had to say NO more than I wanted to - the guilt can feel overwhelming. But I have to remember that we can only do so much. . . . . . . . Even though you can’t say YES to every placement - you can still #makeadifference to one! . . . . . . . I’m giving away a starfish ear cuff in your choice of gold or silver tone to one lucky winner! . . . . . . . To ENTER: 1️⃣ FOLLOW ME! 2️⃣ LIKE this photo 3️⃣ Tag another #FosterParent or #socialworker 4️⃣ Each comment counts as a separate entry. . . . . . . . *Ends Wednesday, October 13th at 11pm Pacific. *Open to continental US only. This contest is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram. . . . . . . . #fostercare #fostercareis #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercareawareness #socialwork #thisisfostercare #fosterparents #caseworker https://www.instagram.com/p/CUyNbGrsBqt/?utm_medium=tumblr

I’ve failed my Hispanic forever son miserably! Even though, this year, we celebrated his birthday with a fun #piñata cake. (You should have seen his face when the “goodies” fell out of the center of his #birthdaycake) I admit that it’s a poor excuse for celebrating my child’s Mexican culture. When he first arrived, he was wearing a tiny wooden bracelet to ward off the evil eye. That tiny bracelet is now his treasured Christmas ornament (swipe to see it). He has always been drawn to his native language. As a toddler, anytime he touched the radio or tv dial, he would land on a Spanish station every-single-time. He’s so interested in learning his language, yet I have not taken the initiative of learning Spanish. As he is getting older, I realize that he will want to explore the facets of his identity, as every #adoptee does. What are your ideas to celebrate his #Mexican culture? (I will be reaching out to his biological mother for her ideas) #adoption #adoptionrocks #openadoption #fostertoadopt #fosterlove #fostercareadoption #thisisadoption #gettooattached #adopteevoices #adoptees #adopteestories #transracial #transracialadoptees https://www.instagram.com/p/CTV8DA4sbSH/?utm_medium=tumblr

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙! ⁣ ⁣ It’s been a while since we chatted. I’m Penelope and live in the Texas Hill Country just west of Austin. I’ve been a mom to over 25 children over the last decade! 2 are my forever sons. ⁣ ⁣ Make no bones about it - this journey is 𝙏𝙊𝙐𝙂𝙃!⁣ ⁣ I want to encourage those of you who are frustrated and overwhelmed! I understand your pain. I understand firsthand how hard it is to raise children with trauma and attachment challenges. ⁣ ⁣ I’ve put together some incredible free training for you with over a dozen experts. (𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘰)⁣ ⁣ 𝙉𝙊𝙒 𝙏𝙀𝙇𝙇 𝙈𝙀 𝘼𝘽𝙊𝙐𝙏 𝙔𝙊𝙐! ⁣ ⁣ #fostercarequestions #fostercare #fostercareis #fosterlove #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #adoptionrocks #adoptionjourney #adoptionday #foreverfamily #traumainformed #tbri (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTS5Ng8sBgq/?utm_medium=tumblr

THIS JOURNEY IS HARD! The Foster Care/ Adoption Journey doesn't end the moment your child comes home! 12 Inspiring Experts Reveal Strategies on Healing Emotions And Responding to Trauma in Your Family Register now for the virtual Adoption H.E.A.R.T Conference. It's completely free from June 11 to June 14, 2021. Sessions on attachment, adoptee identity, transracial adoption, fetal alcohol, time-in discipline, etc #linkinbio👆 #adoption #adoptionrocks #adoptionislove #adoptionisbeautiful #knittogetherbyadoption #blessedbyadoption #bornofmyheart #lovemakesafamily #foreverfamily #thisisadoption #fostercare #fostering #fostercareis #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercareadoption #fosterparenting #fostermom #fostermama #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fosterthefamily #LI https://www.instagram.com/p/CP4T50wBant/?utm_medium=tumblr

COMMUNITY: My biggest challenge as a #fostermama is feeling alone in this very unique journey of #fostercare. Although I have found a strong community of #fosterparents through Instagram and my private Facebook group, I still crave those real life connections. I know very few #fosterparents IRL, but when I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed, I crave to see the tribe of women I have been friends with since first grade. Through the years, we have shared many life events - learning to read then to drive, marriages, the birth of a child, a divorce, and even the loss of a husband. I don’t share my struggles of parenting kids with trauma, but, oh, how I love and crave the escape of our get-togethers to just let my hair down and be me. These girls know the sensitive, goofy girl I am. When I’m with them - I feel free and relaxed - which rejuvenates me to face the life of a #traumamama. These ladies are my respite and my #selfcare. Swipe to see us together in #1stgrade! Do you still get together with #childhoodfriends? #fostercare #fostercareis #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercareawareness #fostercareawarenessmonth #fosterparenting #fosterparents #fostermama #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #foster2forever #fosterthefamily #50andfabulous #thisis50 #aginggracefully #aginglikefinewine #goinggray #selfcare @fosterthefamilyblog (at Waco, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CObn82-hs_h/?igshid=1o97h9xtw6921

#GUILTY on all charges! Second degree murder: GUILTY! Third degree murder: GUILTY! Second degree manslaughter: GUILTY! A verdict that is a sign of hope for the future. A future that overcomes systemic racism for our black children. “Say his name! #GeorgeFloyd” #transracialadoption #transracialadoptees #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd #adoption #adoptionawareness #thisisadoption (at Minneapolis, Minnesota) https://www.instagram.com/p/CN6Z1CShPWb/?igshid=2pl8astvl5zs

A BABY’S SMILE MELTS THE STRESS AWAY! So much going on. The #fosterbaby’s case is in upheaval with a special hearing to move him to a new #fosterfamily that is closer to his parents. Health issues plague the little guy so he needs to see specialists. But that smile brightens any stressful day. What are you stressed about? #fostercare #fostering #fostercareis #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fosterparenting #fostermama #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fosterparents #babyboy #babysmiles #crawlingbaby #crawler (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNtP_ezBcpB/?igshid=1tbmgxm7shbnj

Life as a foster parent may be hard - but not as hard for a child in care! The situation with our kinship placement changes way too much to be healthy and stable for him. It’s sad that the child doesn’t seem to be priority anymore, and he is the one who suffers the most. #fostercare #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fosterparenting #fostermom #fostermama #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #LI https://www.instagram.com/p/CNbVpdJB3zC/?igshid=1ggzm9r3w7nc8

You disrupted our life, little one! Our family was in a rhythm - a comfortable rhythm. We could feel our life beginning to normalize in spite of the trauma. But you were just what our family needed!. You may bring a change in our routines, but you bring out flexibility and adaptability. You may be a lot to handle sometimes, but you bring out the caring, nurturing side of us. Some may say: “you are lucky to have us.” But, little one, we say: “WE are blessed to have YOU!” YOU are what WE needed. #fostercare #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fostadopt #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fostercareawareness #fosterparenting #fosterkids #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fosterthefamily #fosterparents https://www.instagram.com/p/CNWFcKkhhrf/?igshid=1ablcdw9dd15t

You have stolen our hearts little one! You are one of us. But the reality is that you are not ours. You are His, and He has a plan for your future. And no matter when that plan has you leaving our family, you will take a piece of us with you. We love you so so much!!! #fostercare #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fostadopt #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fosterparenting #fosterkids #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #babyboy #happybaby #babylove #red #gettooattached #fosterbaby #fostercareishard #fosterparents https://www.instagram.com/p/CMTRO61BX5y/?igshid=1erlhj2qrrkg6

We survived the great #texassnow storm of 2021! And I’m even going so far to say that we THRIVED as a #fosterfamily. -Even with the electricity going on & off every 3 minutes. -Even as we huddled together in one room. -Even with zero capability to use electronics. We had no arguments! Families stick together in the hard times! We kicked #trauma’s butt! #snowpocalypse #snowmageddon #fostercare #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fostadopt #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fosterparenting #fostermom #fostermama #fosterkids #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fosterparents (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMQrz8zhvRj/?igshid=1b1ytpam3zfzh

WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN... I wish I’d known how in utero #trauma affects a child sometimes for a lifetime. I wish I’d known how in utero alcohol/drug exposure and #FASD can mimic so many other conditions. I wish I’d known how vital #attachment and connection is for a neglected child. I wish I’d known that I could take family leave for placement of #fosterkids. I wish I’d known that #timeindiscipline is so much more effective for hurt children than time-out. I wish I’d known how (mis)behavior is how a hurt child communicates a need. What do you wish you’d known before becoming a #fosterparent? #fostercare #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fostadopt #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fostercareawareness #fostermom #fostermother #fostermama #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fostercareisworthit #fosterparents https://www.instagram.com/p/CL-nhX0hLAU/?igshid=3khzcx89zcek

Was this #fosterbaby exposed to drugs in the home? Poor baby was tested and has this awful #haircut for a while. A hair follicle test can, not only detect #drugexposure, but can also determine a timeline of exposure. Have your #fosterkids undergone drug testing? #fostercare #fostering #fostercareis #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostermom #fostermother #fostermama #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fostercareisworthit #fosterparents https://www.instagram.com/p/CL8DLADBuNG/?igshid=f5apcbfgfbza

DELAYS! Nothing is ever quick in #fostercare. Missing paperwork. Court continuances. Overextended case workers. Relapse. And these delays just keep kids languishing in the system. Postponing permanence for children whose past and future have been so uncertain. After 2 months, and 2 court hearings - absolutely nothing has been decided. Will the child stay here or be moved to another county closer to the parents? No answers. Just waiting. Savoring the moments. Do you see delays in your children’s cases? #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fostadopt #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fostercareawareness #fostermom #fostermother #fostermama #fosterkids #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fostercareisworthit #fosterparents https://www.instagram.com/p/CLvVbMGhpry/?igshid=19gm2aakd82j0

Get involved in a support group for #fosterparents! @berniesanders @fullyrosebyrne @markwahlberg @paramountpics @instantfamily #fostercare #fostering #fosteradopt #fostercareis #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareadoption #fostercareawareness #fostermom #fostermother #fostermama #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fostercareisworthit #fosterthefamily #LI #instantfamily #berniesanders #berniesandersmemes #berniesmittens #berniememes https://www.instagram.com/p/CKfHgENBV5D/?igshid=1owhghozrtywm

Court dates don’t look the same in 2021. Being virtual doesn’t make it easier. Hurt will still be center stage. Families will be broken and others created. Tomorrow a child’s story will be told. A decision will be made. Will a young mother be able to complete family services with her child? Or will the child remain separated from her? A child’s future is uncertain and hangs in the balance. Please pray for wise decisions. Decisions that are truly in the best interest of the child. #fostercare #fostering #fostercareis #fosterfamily #fosterlove #fostercarelove #fostercareawareness #fostermom #fostermother #fostermama #fosterkids #fosterkid #thisisfostercare #gettooattached #fostercareishard #fostercareisworthit #fosterparents #court #courthouse #courthearing #casa https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ9-x8mBU48/?igshid=1uq26tnifvx38