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Jamie Thompson, a lawyer, and her husband, Alex Thompson, a retired military member and postal worker, were on the brink of becoming empty nesters. With their youngest child nearing high school graduation and some of their older children already married, they were looking forward to the joys of grandparenthood. Life had begun to slow down a bit, but a Facebook post turned their world upside down.
The Thompsons began fostering in 2015, initially without the intention of adoption. That changed when Jamie came across a post about seven siblings, aged one to twelve, who had tragically lost both parents in a car accident. “Seeing that post about those kids needing a permanent home struck us hard; we felt destined to be their new parents,” Jamie recalled.
Despite miraculously surviving the accident, the siblings had sustained various injuries. Their parents had both experienced foster care as children, and now their seven kids found themselves in a similar situation. After the accident, the children were shuffled from their hometown to a homeless tent shelter and then to temporary housing in San Diego.
In April 2019, Jamie and Alex met the children and transitioned to weekly and then overnight visits at their home. On June 7, 2019, the seven siblings officially moved in. The adoption process, however, faced an unexpected delay when the pandemic forced local courts to shut down just four days before their scheduled adoption finalization.
Fortunately, they were able to finalize the adoptions a few months later via Zoom on August 7, 2020. That same year, Alex retired, and their youngest biological daughter also graduated high school. While Jamie continues her legal career, a nanny assists Alex, now a full-time dad, with the children’s daily activities.
A Day in the Life of the Thompson Family
What does a day look like for the Thompson family? Jamie explains that they follow a structured routine filled with meals, schoolwork, and outdoor activities. The kids stay active with skating, trampoline jumping, swimming, and biking. Weekends are dedicated to family time, including visits with their older siblings, trips to the park or beach, and playing with their new cousins.
Now aged fifteen, thirteen, nine, eight, seven, five, and four, the children are thriving. Jamie cherishes the joy of witnessing their first experiences, such as trips to Disneyland, horseback riding, and beach outings. Their unique personalities are “blossoming,” and Jamie notes that they are gradually settling in and feeling secure after years of instability.
Challenges of Foster Parenting
However, every foster parent knows that helping children navigate trauma is a significant challenge. Jamie comments, “Childhood trauma presents itself differently in each child.” Issues such as drug addiction, homelessness, violence, and neglect are all too common among kids in foster care. Jamie credits their prior fostering experience for equipping them to better support their new children.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added its own set of challenges. School plans have shifted from virtual to hybrid and back to in-person, leading to constant changes in routine. The children miss participation in sports, art, and other activities, but the extra time at home has allowed for bonding and skill-building, like learning to ride a bike.
The Importance of Foster Care
In the U.S., around 400,000 children are in foster care, with 120,000 awaiting adoption. Sadly, 200,000 youth age out of the system annually without a family to support them. Jamie encourages anyone considering foster parenting to seek out local orientations and training sessions, reassuring them that “the transformations” children undergo are incredibly rewarding. “We’ve seen it time and again in our home, regardless of a child’s age. Watching them grow into secure and loved individuals has been an honor.”
If you’re looking for more insights into home insemination, check out this post on home insemination or learn more about at-home options with Make a Mom. For further information on fertility treatments, visit March of Dimes.
Summary
Jamie and Alex Thompson were preparing for an empty nest but transformed their lives by adopting seven siblings after a tragic accident left them orphaned. Their journey through fostering and adoption highlights the challenges and joys of parenting children from difficult backgrounds. With love and support, the Thompson family is helping the children heal and thrive.
Keyphrase: Adoptive parenting journey
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