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My husband and I decided to become foster parents after years of struggling to have our own kids. I was tired of focusing on my health and knew there were children out there who needed a caring home right away. We were matched with our first foster placement soon after getting licensed, and those kids have now been with us for 2.5 years.

One of the biggest challenges of being a foster parent has been understanding the state laws and legal processes involved. We didn't have any prior experience with how the courts work. We've had many different social workers and new legal situations keep coming up.

With support from Foster Village, I can ask questions and get advice from other foster families who have been through similar experiences. It's reassuring to know I'm not alone and that there are people nearby who understand what we're going through. The Moms Support Group has been great for this, and the caring volunteers at Foster Village have also been very helpful.

It's reassuring to know I'm not alone and that there are people nearby who understand what we're going through.

Personally, I love attending the Moms Support Group meetings. It's nice to meet other foster moms and it's the easiest way for me to get the continuing education hours I need (plus they have great snacks!). My kids are obsessed with Caregiver Night Out where they get to play with lots of other kids and get spoiled for the night. It's a win-win for all of us! 

Sarah Irby is an artist and licensed foster parent who lives in Lawrence, KS with her husband Max and children. She currently serves as a board member at Foster Village Northeast KS where she hopes to make a difference for other foster families who are going through similar experiences as hers.