"Can I Call You Mom?"

“Can I call you mom? My mom said I could if I wanted to.”

“I think that kids should be in families, not just homes. And I think that every kid should get to have an “every day, for now” mom who takes care of them when their mom can’t. Your mom will be your mom forever, and I will be your mom for as long as you need me. So if you would like to call me mom, I would like that, too.”

“Ok, mom.”

*Runs into other room with the kids* “Guess what? I just called your mom “mom.” Cool, right?”

Every child should experience the love of a parent, even when they are separated from their parent. Every child should have a family, even when they can’t be with their family. Every child entering foster care should be welcomed into foster *families*, not just foster *homes*.

So here’s to belonging.
Here’s to knowing you’re loved fully & included wherever you are.
Here’s to both families.
Here’s to truly honoring first family & fully welcoming into foster family.
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(Mom also wrote me a note, saying that she told him he could call me mom when he wants to. And all stories & photos are shared with permission.)