Me, I think they’re crazy. But it’s obvious now part of the why they were supposed to do this - when my cousin needed help, they were already certified as foster parents and still had one spare “allowed child” slot open for her. It makes me feel better about our other cousin, we would not have been allowed to foster him as the rules say no more than six children under 18 in the home, counting the foster-er’s own kids. So my folks are at capacity now.
For us, wife and I realize it probably part of our “calling” if you will.
My first real job out of college was as a social worker and I spent about the last year or so doing foster care placements (and hating the parents and the system that would do this to kids).
Nana and Papa were all about hospitality and there was always someone visting/staying/eating in their home as wife grew up (often missionaries). So, since we’ve had the house we’ve had wife’s younger sister and (1st) husband live with us, a Japanese teacher live with us for a year, and then Nana moved in.
Before Luke was born we’d already talked about foster care and/or adoption. But we’d never really pursued it.
There’s just something in us that looks at a 4-bedroom house and ponders why any would be empty.
At the same time, I’m too old for more younguns.