Foster care has a way of changing how we see the world. It asks us to step into hard places, stay present, and let God reshape our perspective. For our latest guest, that’s meant gaining a richer perspective on biological parents, a deeper appreciation for the beauty and challenges of caring for children with disabilities, and so much more.
Crystal Paine and her husband have been foster parents to two precious children—one who was medically fragile and reunified with his biological mom, and one who was born premature with significant disabilities, whom they later adopted. Crystal is passionate about supporting biological parents, advocating for children with disabilities, and living out the Gospel through foster care and adoption.
In this episode, Crystal shares about leaning on our faith when we’re facing challenges that can be intimidating, how we can be intentional about offering dignity and grace to biological parents, some of the unique aspects of fostering a child with disabilities, and much more.
- Connect with Crystal on her website, Instagram, or Facebook
- Give to The Forgotten Initiative
- Foster Care & the Church
TAKEAWAYS FROM TODAY’S CONVERSATION:
1. Determine what sorts of placements fit your family.
There are so many factors that impact what your family can handle. Do you have biological children? What are their ages? How do they feel about the possibility of a child involved in foster care entering your home? There are no right or wrong answers as you and your family decide what ages and situations would fit best with your unique family dynamic, but it’s a good idea to carefully consider these factors before making a commitment. (Check out this additional resource: “Questions You Should Ask When You Get Your First Placement Call.”)
“We are not going to say yes to a call unless our whole family is on board with it. We probably said no about 40 times. We see the need, but that was the commitment we made to our kids.”
2. Strive to offer dignity and grace to biological parents.
The relationship between foster parents and biological parents can at times be challenging to navigate. Many biological parents experience shame as a result of their children being involved in the foster care system. We have an opportunity to pray for biological parents, cultivate compassion for them, and instill in them a sense of dignity and grace. Start by making yourself familiar with the biological parents’ story.
“I thought I was going to be fostering a child. I didn’t know that God was going to be building a relationship with a birth mom.”
3. Every parent needs support.
Community support is vital regardless of whether you are a biological parent or a foster parent. We were not intended to go through this world alone. Getting plugged into a church community or support group can make all the difference in the world. And for those looking for ways to offer support, avoid falling into the trap of overcomplicating things. Even the smallest gift, kind word, or action can be multiplied by our heavenly Father.
“It was such a simple thing. She didn’t stay. She just dropped off banana bread and said she was praying for us. That banana bread was such a tangible reminder of God’s provision.”
Meet Our Guest
Crystal Paine and her husband, Jesse, have been foster parents to two precious children – one who was medically fragile and reunified with his biological mom, and one who was born premature with significant disabilities, whom they later adopted. Crystal is passionate about supporting biological parents, advocating for kids with disabilities, and living out the Gospel through foster care and adoption. You might know her from MoneySavingMom.com or as the host of the Crystal Paine Show, where she shares encouragement and practical wisdom for families.
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