Bethann

DH and I have seriously discussed foster care when we are a bit older, and I have a permanent job (right now I'm adjucting/finishing PhD)--our hearts are really with older children, not particularly infants.

Meanwhile, after years of struggle, I'm facing a potential diagnosis of Bipolar 2. Right now I'm trying really hard to focus on the positives--maybe getting the right diagnosis after all these years will mean I can control the horrible depressions I experience. But now I'm worried, if this ends up on my records, is it going to eliminate my chances of being a foster parent? Or am I already out of the running because I have such a long history of depression?

thanks to anyone who can answer,
Beth

__________________
-diagnosed 1/2004
-treating with diet and exercise
-mom to 5 furkids, Patrick the greyhound, Gretta and Samantha the rabbits, Sophie and Rosie the guinea pigs, and 4 guinea pigs waiting at the Bridge.
-working on a PhD in American History

erin_d_a

If you are on meds and stable you should be able to do foster care.

However remember that foster kids come with a LOT of challenges, especially the older ones, so make sure you are stable before you bring these kiddos home

__________________
Married to a sailor
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
and mom to a bee
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


Natural/Traditional foodie


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

jeanjean

I don't thing it will disqualify.. If you are stable. I work as an in home therapist with Foster Children and have thought of doing the same thing. My only word of caution is... Be Careful.... It is an extremely tough thing to get attached to children and help them with their problems only to have them RIPPED from you and put back in a home where their lives are going to be horrible. It takes an extremely stong willed person to handle the gammit of problems these children face.

GOD BLESS you for being strong enough to do this......

Bethann

Thanks for answering--DH and I realize this may be a challenge we discover we're not equipped for when the time comes, and a lot will depend on my health, but it's nice to know that the possibility isn't completely ruled out.

__________________
-diagnosed 1/2004
-treating with diet and exercise
-mom to 5 furkids, Patrick the greyhound, Gretta and Samantha the rabbits, Sophie and Rosie the guinea pigs, and 4 guinea pigs waiting at the Bridge.
-working on a PhD in American History

not-waving-but-drowning

Hi wish I could contribute but I live in the UK so your system is different. I am just starting up the fostering process and I got really quizzed about my depression by the social worker yesterday. I'm hoping it won't matter since I only take meds when necessary, guess I'll find out in time. Anyone planning to foster who needs a buddy please IM me.
xx

__________________
Me 33 DH 35

TTC # 1 for many years.....
2 Adorable Fur-babies:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Losing weight and using herbal remedies
in hope of a BFP!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

not-waving-but-drowning

.....or PM, or whatever lol.....
xx

__________________
Me 33 DH 35

TTC # 1 for many years.....
2 Adorable Fur-babies:
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Losing weight and using herbal remedies
in hope of a BFP!
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

KarlaLOVESJeff

I too have wondered if my bout with depression and having to be out of work for 5wks in 2000 (July/August - when out 1st baby would've been born had we not m/c) will affect out adoption efforts. But I think it will be fine. -- I started taking Paxil then and just never stopped because I was scared of the withdrawal process and affects - that is until I was able to stop working in 2005 to get healthy in prep for restarting infertility treatments. I stopped smoking, weaned off Paxil (terrible process), lost 25lbs, and strengthened my spirit. To me, all of this reflects a strength and resilience that children will surely benefit from. Additionally, I've clearly learned how to handle loss better as we've suffered two subsequent m/c and there have been no more lengthy breakdowns (normal mourning process is exempt of course).

I get that impression from you Bethann. An inner strength. Continue taking control and doing all of the work that it takes to not only maintain, but to excel, and you will have children. Believe.

__________________
Karla (32) Jeff (36)
- DX PCOS 8/99
- Married 10/19/1997!
- TTC #1 since '98. BFP w/ 1st round of Clomid but m/c at 6 1/2 weeks.
- 1500mg/day Glucophage
- Several rounds of follistim, Ovidrel, IUI.
- M/C 11/06

- 1st round of IVF (with PGD); embryo transfer 9/21.
- BFP 10/1! BetaHCG 313.
- 2nd beta 10/4 = 1,291!
- m/c 10/9-10; beta 8,677 but 1500 on 10/12


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.