Adopt a 4Th Child?

While I can't speak from a foster/adopt background (which incidentally is what we will be starting on next year), I can speak as the biological mom to 3, with a fourth on the way.

They ALL regress. It doesn't matter what their circumstances are or what background they are from.
But, the good out weighs the bad. As long as you are able to reassure them of continued love and affection, and show them how to love and affect others, then you will make a wonderful mom to baby four.

Dear M.,
-I believe that if you don't take in your sons' baby sister, you and your family will always regret losing her.
-I acknowledge that life has not been easy with the boys. Yes, the younger 2 might regress and it's not likely to get any easier for any of you, but with God's help, you'll make it.
Good luck!

What dilemma do you see? When God gives you a calling you He also gives you the desire.

God will always bring things into your lives. Yes, your children will have to adjust, all do. Yes there will be trials, that's how we grow in Christ.

Now for some good God talk...
James 1:27 KJV
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
1 Kings 8:28 KJV
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

So my final question to you is this... Have you prayed for a girl? Did you have the desire to adopt another before this? Has God answered your prayer? If so, is fear keeping you from reaching out and excepting a blessing from God?

I will pray for you and your husband in making this decision as when two or more come together it shall be done.

Wow this sounds just like my friend from back home. She now has 5 adopted children all together and 4 of them are from the same Mom. She still fosters as well. She is a SAHM though while doing Pampered Chef.
She had adopted the 2 sisters to begin with then a year later adopted a babyboy with Down Syndrome from a different Mom. Thinking she was done she got a call that the Mom of the girls had a boy and since she had the girls she was first pick to adopt this new boy to keep these siblings together. She did because she felt they all belonged together. Then 2 yrs later the same Mom got pregnant again and she contacted the agnecy to see if the newest baby could be adopted in with the siblings. This is where my friend started praying of how to be with all these children. Her heart wanted the baby being the others sibling but her mind was unsure. They adopted the baby on one condition the Mom had to have her tubes tied since she was not wanting or able to care for her children. So they now have this beautiful family of 5.
While it is hard she is so happy and loves them all and the children love each other. While some are not old enough to grasp it all she is warmed constantly by the fact they are all together.
I hope you and your husband pray about this some more and come to a conclusion that sets well for the whole family! I myself do have 5 children of my own and while it is hard it really is a joy!

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M.,
What a blessing you are to the lives of those boys! And what rare and beautiful people you and your husband are to take on the challenge of three very young siblings.

Adopting children is a very personal thing. Only you and your husband know if you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready and able to take on the fourth sibling. Put your minister's counsel aside for a moment. Set the Bible aside. You and your husband both need to, individually, seek the Lord's counsel in what you should do. If and when the process of soul-searching has become a comfort to you, consider how aware your children are of their past life. Do they know they were adopted? Do they fully understand what that means? If so, and if you decide to make the addition to your family, explain to them that they will be having a new baby to join the family. Treat it as though you were expecting and were preparing them for that change. Make it clear to them that they are not being replaced but their new sister will make their lives better.

Bear in mind that the boys will encounter difficult situations throughout their lives. The key to being able to deal with them is how you guide them. Part of the parenting process is teaching your children how to handle the tough times in life. If you teach them how to take the high road in such situations they will be able to handle any difficulty life may present to them. And what greater legacy to leave the world than children who become adults who are courageous enough to be strong even in the hard times?

God bless you for what you are doing.

If your inner voice is saying to adopt this girl, then listen (that is God speaking to you!!). The boys are still so young, I don't think I would worry about regression- just prepare them in advance for their sister's arrival and get them excited about it. It will be a wonderful chance for them to grow up with their sister as a family. You sound like wonderful parents, and what a beautiful gift these children have been given to have a life with you (and vice versa).

I agree with Morgana and Anna. I will try and look up some specific scriptures for you... although I am sure you know to take it in context of who wrote what book and the entent behind the entire message. :)

Luke 18. 15-17, John 16, 16-22, 1 Kings 3, Daniel 2, 14-23 (20-21 excellent!), Colossians 3. 12-17

But, I think you will always regret if you don't take her. 4 would be so fun! and busy but fun! I am a sybling of 4 all within 2 1/2 yrs. apart, and can't imagine not have them in my life. We are so close (tons of parent issues which makes us bond together.) Those boys will love having a sister latter on in life too. You will be such an amazing role model to her far more than her mother. If she would try to take her back, then at least the boys have some memories and photos of her. I also don't even think you need to go into depth conversations about you have the same mommy. They will ask when they are ready and you just answer it straight. Then they will come back when they want more answers. Good luck with your prayer.

Blessings,
Amanda

I think I would have to take the sister! I have 2 adopted boys and I would definately take any biological children that came from their birthparents! Of course they will go thru some adjustment as any children would if a pregnancy came in any family! But...God will take care of them and you! God will answer prayers and CAN do ANYTHING!

I don't know much about the foster care system. However, it seems to me that if the bio mom has already lost her rights to her 3 oldest kids (since you adopted them) that it is unlikely her 4th child will be returned to her. How wonderful it would be for the 4 siblings to be kept together!! If you choose to go ahead and accept her, I would just explain to the boys that she is thier sister - they all have the same bio mom (and father?). Bless you for taking on such a challenge in the first place to adopt the 3 siblings. Good luck!!

My heart would say take her and keep all the siblings together. It will be an adjustment but I'm sure the boys will accept it eventually. Try to imagine if you refuse how they might feel later in life when they find out they have a sister who they could have grow up with them but didn't. I also agree that since the mother lost the three boys I would think it unlikely that the girl would be returned to her. SHe'd have to make serious changes in her life and lets face it, her past behavior obvious doesn't indicate that this is likely.

Just a thought on the poster who said that taking in the problems of the older two will cause the younger one to act the same...not necessarily true! I have 4 chidren (not adopted or foster)...my oldest had some behavior issues. My younger ones have had no problems. EACH child is different in regards to behavior,attitudes, and personalities. Don't let the problems of the older boys deter you from what you feel in your heart that God wants you to do. As Christ-followers we should celebrate adoption...after all, WE were adopted into His family!

Pray ,pray, pray....you might already know the answer.We were supposed to have a temporary castody of 4 of our God children, on the way to sign papers my husband backed out.We got 2 and family from church got 2.Even though I knew it would be hard to have 5 kids under 7 I had peace about it. Well parents got back on their feet in 2 weeks and our 2 kids went back, but other 2 had to stay away for 7 months. I told my husband that I knew all along that all 4 should've gone with us.But he let fear controll him.
I know our situation was different, we were going into it with taking kids for a while(however long it was going to be) but for you it's forever.However God gives us same peace. I surely hope you will get it!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best advice I can give is to kneel down and spend some time praying about it. If you come to a decision one way or the other, then pray about it, and if you feel calm and relieved and good about it, then the answer to your question is "yes". If you feel like you can't think straight, or you feel nervous or upset or apprehensive or like you're going to have a break down, or you have a knot in your stomach, then the answer is "no". We are entitled to direct answers from above, and the answers will come if we sincerely ask, and give time to ponder and receive the answers. James 1: 5-6. You are an amazing lady to have given these children a good home.