Memoir #7 "wow...I've thought about doing what you're doing..."

My husband and I were talking the other day about the reaction that occurs when people find out that we are foster-to-adopt parents, and they always say the same thing and it goes a little something like this -> "...wow, that is so great, I've thought about doing it myself..." My husband brought up a good point too and it got me thinking.  Isn't it funny how everyone we meet has thought about doing it but nobody we meet has actually done it?  Why not?

I started thinking about this a little more and I want to be sure to clarify that this entry is not meant to brag about how great we are in our choice to do this.  Rather, I want to talk about the reasons why people like us do actually choose to do it and maybe offer some insite and change the statistics a little bit so let's check these statistics out...

You do not have to be married to be a foster/adopt parent; you do not have to own your home; you do not have to be rich; you do need to be at least 18 years old; you do have to have good moral character; you do have to be able to assure proper care and safety of the children (adoptuskids.org)

Are you ready to take the plunge?!?!?!?!

Statistic number 1...Right now there are 500,000 children in foster care in the United States

Statistic number 2...If one family out of every church in America would become a foster family, there would be a shortage in foster children!!!

Statistic number 3...Right now there are 118,000 children who are waiting to be adopted in the United States

Statistic number 4...If one family out of every four churches in America would adopt a child, there would be a shortage in adoptive children!

Statistic number 5...Six in ten Americans have had a personal experience with adoption meaning that they themselves, a family member, or a close friend was adopted, adopted a child, or had a child placed for adoption (evan b donaldson institute 1997)

Statistic #6…Nearly 3 out of every 4 adopted children ages 0-5 are read to or sang to every day, compared with only half of non-adopted children who receive the same attention from their biological parents.

Statistic #7… Well over half of all adopted children eat dinner with their families at least six days per week.

Statistic #8…Adopted children are more likely to live in neighborhoods that are safe, that have amenities and are in good physical condition than are non-adopted children. (2007 national survey of adoptive parents)

Have any of these grabbed your attention???  The first step in the journey is making the decision to find out more =)