In her own words: A New Hampshire mom talks about parenting a teen from foster care
Casey Family Services thanks Donna Coraluzzo, an adoptive parent from New Hampshire, for sharing her experiences with foster care and adoption.
My husband and I made a conscience choice to become foster parents. The process didn’t happen over night. It took us about five years to decide to be foster parents and another five years to adopt our daughter Kayla. We talked with family and friends, some of whom were not supportive, but we wanted to expand our family by helping a young person in care. Once we decided to become foster parents, we were committed to the process.
The journey from foster to adoptive parents has been an emotional one. Our relationship has involved give and take on both sides. There are tough days, days when we had to deal with her acting out, making poor decisions, or being irresponsible. While it wasn’t easy, our love and support for her didn’t waver. She’s a part of our family, just like our birth son. I’ll admit that fostering or adoption certainly makes life more complicated, but it also makes life feel more rich and purposeful.
If you’re interested in foster care and adoption you don’t have to do this alone. Casey Family Services offers a variety of supports from throughout the process and post adoption services once you’ve adopted a young person. Folks from all walks of life share their expectations and experiences about the adoption process. Having support is crucial to the throughout the adoption process and after we adopted our daughter.
Foster parenting and adoption is a rewarding experience. Our family has made a 25 percent change to allow Kayla the opportunity to make a 100 percent change in her life. I’m proud of the impact our family has had in her life and am glad she is a legal part of my family. It shouldn’t be a privilege to have a safe childhood. It should be a right. Kayla and all young people in foster care deserve a safe, stable, and permanent family.
Learn More
- Learn about fostering and adopting children in foster care with Casey Family Services.
- Discover more stories from families who have fostered and adopted children from foster care.
- Share your own adoption story by .
