Adoption, foster care, Children's WI, teach you
At Every Turn > Foster Care > What will life as a foster parent teach you?
Patient Stories Mar 21, 2014

What will life as a foster parent teach you?

Megan Massey, Licensed foster parent

I recently received a very timely reminder that all things I experience in life are valuable, and if I let them be influential. In this journey as a foster parent you will be faced with tough decisions or challenging information almost every day. It’s your choice whether to let this knock you down, keep you stuck, or shift your vision to, “what is this teaching me?”

Learning from life

I recently came across a blog that recognizes we don’t need the perfect list of “how to” or the perfect mentor to lead the way. Our lives teach us exactly what we need to learn at any given moment. The blog highlighted that life’s teachers may not look like we might imagine and at times may be teaching us what not to do. Either way, the circumstance is an opportunity to shift our lens from frustration to curiosity. Read the full blog, Your perfect teacher: Life.

I am the first to admit that this concept is much easier to practice in hindsight, but I am going to challenge myself to make it a part of my daily practice as well. With this as a small or mighty reminder I can only imagine that those I am working with- children, families, workers might be affected as well.

What will life as a foster parent teach you?

At any given time, as many as 7,000 children are in foster care in Wisconsin. As the largest provider of foster care programming in the state, Children’s Wisconsin offers high levels of support to foster and adoptive families.  View more articles from Megan Massey

Related stories

Kaylee awake craniotomy Children's Wisconsin Neurosciences Center
Patient Stories Apr 08, 2025

The Little Warrior: How a Young Girl Made Medical History at Children’s Wisconsin

Evan Solochek Writer

To meet Kaylee, you'd never know of all the sickness, hospital admissions and surgeries that threatened her childhood.

The power of fostering siblings Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Mar 14, 2025

Fostering Siblings Builds Unbreakable Bonds

Cassie Schmidt Foster Parent

When children enter foster care, they often feel scared. But when they enter with a sibling, they bring a piece of home with them.

New Clinic Partnerships in Northeast Wisconsin Fosters Ease and Access for Patient Families Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Mar 11, 2025

Providing Specialty Care Closer to Home for Kids in Northeast Wisconsin

For many families in Northeast Wisconsin, the Connected for Kids partnership has been more than just convenient — it’s been life-changing.

Mara arteriovenous malformation AVM Children's Wisconsin Neurosciences Center
Patient Stories Feb 04, 2025

When Life Threw Mara a Curveball, Children’s Wisconsin Was There

For Mara, an out-of-the-blue headache one day at school was the first sign of something much more serious.

Germelle Sickle Cell Disease Children's Wisconsin MACC Fund Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders
Patient Stories Jan 02, 2025

A Boy’s Life: Doctors at Children’s Wisconsin Gave Germelle a Second Chance To Be a Kid

Evan Solochek Writer

For the first three years of Germelle’s life, he spent more days in the hospital than in his home.

Trinity Herma Heart Institute at Children's Wisconsin
Patient Stories Dec 09, 2024

Strength, Endurance and Connection: How Trinity Beat All the Odds

Jen Novotny Writer

When Trinity came to Children's Wisconsin in 2021, she had a very slim chance of surviving.

Owen and Ean Transnasal Endoscopy TNE Children's Wisconsin Gastroenterology, Liver and Nutrition Program
Patient Stories Nov 13, 2024

A better way: How a new technique is improving care for kids with chronic GI issues

Erin Kohlmann Writer

For kids with chronic stomach and GI issues, Children's Wisconsin is dedicated to bringing them comfort.