Foster Parenting - Mike Ruman | Husband, Father, Friend, Fighter

Sometimes You Have To Leave Your Family Behind

October 22, 2011 By Mike Leave a Comment

I left my family behind this week. It was good for me … and for them.

This was my office, in Vail. #toughlife

Four days away from Lisa and our four (very young) children.

Did I feel guilty about this? A little. Should I feel guilty? No.

Every person should leave their family behind for these three reasons.

Recharge – Young children can be a bit draining on you … okay that is a bit of an understatement. Young children are very draining on you. They can, and will, burn you out. Getting away for a few days helps recharge the your mind and body.
Reflect - Life moves at 1,000 MPH, we all know that. Spending a few days away from the family gives me time to think about all that is/has/is going to be going on. I end up thanking God quite a bit during this time.
Return – Coming back after a few days of being away makes returning home so … umm … awesome? Yep, awesome. I long to return home after being away. There is just something about opening the door and having the smiles of your kids and especially that beautiful wife of mine when I return. That, my friends, is priceless.

I get away for a few days every quarter. That works for me and my family. I can say fairly confidently that it’ll work for you as well.

Filed Under: Foster Parenting, General, Parenting

A New Name

September 8, 2011 By Mike 3 Comments

Things with our twins are looking good for a potential adoption.

Last week we were told by the social worker to change their names … their first names. That’s probably a good indicator that they may be staying with us forever.

Changing an 18 month old’s name is not the easiest thing, but we’re doing alright with it. They’ll pretty much answer to any name right now. But, working on getting them to learn their names.

I think Lisa and I went from the excitement of “wow, we may have these children forever” to “wow, me may have these children forever”.

It IS exciting, and it IS a little bit terrifying.

Sidenote: We’re also beginning work (again) on our fosterbook.com site. We figure we have a whole lot of experience we can pass on, may as well put that on a website.

Filed Under: Foster Parenting

We’re not crazy … YOU’RE crazy!

April 27, 2011 By Mike 2 Comments

I’ll be honest, people think we’re crazy. The family with 4 kids under 4. Well, 3, 1, 1, and 8 months to be exact.

People call us crazy.

We are.

I guess.

Last night we had our foster care support group and we found out there are other “crazy” people out there. Other “crazy” foster parents.

It felt good to hear their “crazy” stories. I mean I don’t want their lives to be crazy, but it’s good to know that we are in good company.

Sometimes I wonder what we have gotten ourselves into. A lot of times I wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into. I know Lisa sometimes wonders the same thing. We’re banking that this will be the hardest part, that things will get easier. They will, they have to.

That’s it. Crazy short post, just like us.

Filed Under: Foster Parenting