OUR FOSTER CARE PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR (& update on our 17 year old foster daughter)

After a crazy year of fostering, we need to do something different this year. Also we've given our foster daughter a nickname which I share in this video.
There is definitely a NEED in every state for foster parents. I hope this encourages you to take the first step to get licensed yourself or help a foster parent local to you :)
Foster Care Playlist: bit.ly/30O1Ywy
If you want to send something to us: 124 E Northfield Drive, Ste F 273, Brownsburg, IN 46112
Credit Cards we love:
1. An easy, no annual fee card: get $150-$225 Cash Back - happyhoppe.com...
2. Favorite travel/all-purpose card: get 60,000 points for travel - happyhoppe.com...
3. Favorite hotel points card: get several FREE nights - happyhoppe.com...
POPULAR PLAYLISTS:
Foster Care: bit.ly/30O1Ywy
Watch world trip from the beginning: bit.ly/2uSusoH
#fostercare #respite

[@tammy7165]

I’m so proud of you for not forgetting to take care of YOU. I love your transparency and I think it’s wonderful you decided to set time aside to focus on July as this is a huge transition into adulthood for her and she does need that extra focus. She’s lucky to have you guys. I’m sure she will become a great success in life. Keep up the good work ❤️

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks for the encouragement - it means a lot!

[@jeanette2232]

Currently have a placement two girls who were 5 years old and 2 months when they came. Its been a year and 4 months now. Been enjoying the kiddos so much. Thanks for your uploads have truly been helpful during this process especially your transparency on reunification, joy, and grief. Prayful thoughts to you, your family, and every child

[@HappyHoppe]

🥰 thanks for your comment! Yes, getting attached is the goal and reunification is the goal and yet it’s hard. So many emotions.

[@kristinbarnes2710]

Ugh i want to like these videos because there are not many foster care videos made now, they are all 3/4yrs old. It’s so hard to watch these though as you are half laughing/while smiling and also crying. It’s so difficult to watch. Try and just talk instead of the rushed half laugh into crying. Just trying to help. Sorry if it’s coming off snarky.

[@Rachel_AllThingsFoster]

This has nothing to do with the topic of the video but love your earrings lol!

[@amieeheart1585]

Hey. You should get the 17 year old to work part time and take that money and put it in a savings account for when she turns 18

[@amylarsen1250]

So happy you're helping launch July into adulthood with some useful skills... so many young people don't have basic skills like cooking cleaning and managing finances... we have such a short time to prepare them for successful lives...

[@HappyHoppe]

Yes, so much it’s overwhelming! Still working on the finance one :) if she has it, she wants to spend it. But she’s already starting to do a little better. I talk openly with her about how much the groceries were that week and how much gas is when we stop to fill up and how important it is to save so for example when we had an expensive unexpected car repair we had already had money set aside in a car fund, and all that - so just teaching as we go.

[@v.y.9937]

Hi, I love your videos. I have a question. So we are fostering a 4 month old baby. Do you ever get your feelings hurt when people/friends don’t acknowledge your baby? If so how do you deal with your feelings?

[@HappyHoppe]

Oh that’s so sad 😞 I can’t say ive had that happen, but if I did I would probably have a conversation with the person if they were an important part of my life to let them know how that makes me feel. It probably is them trying to protect themselves from feeling attached. And I understand that my friends and family didn’t sign up for foster care and that I did, but I would want the people to still be a part of my life - which means being part of the foster child’s life. Just be open and honest in a kind way and seek to understand why they don’t acknowledge the child.

[@LP-tu8li]

Will your agency help you get respite kids or do you have to reach out and volunteer on support websites etc? Our agency said they don’t have much respite need!

[@HappyHoppe]

Mostly it’s me letting online local foster care groups know I’m available, but also my licensing person knows I’m available for respite so I’ve gotten to watch kids both ways, but mostly through the online groups. That’s also how I’ve found respite when I needed it.

[@LP-tu8li]

I would love to know how/ what you said when you reached out to the foster community to offer Respite. Our agency says they hardly ever need respite placements and we’d like to start with doing that.

[@HappyHoppe]

I made my own connections through an Indiana foster and adoptive care Facebook page - just a picture of us and what dates we were available. That worked out great 👍 only one or two of the respite placements came through DCS, most was through connecting on Facebook.

[@LP-tu8li]

@@HappyHoppe thank you!

[@katiebelle4765]

What a perfect nickname!

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks 😊

[@HawksongLullaby029]

I won't say she's lucky because I'm sure she's been through a lot, but I'm so glad July has you in her corner ❤ I hope 2024 brings your heart a lot of healing.

[@HappyHoppe]

Thank you 🤗

[@MrPilotguy20]

I had a hard time touching raw meat before adulthood as well, it took me getting out of the house and being in college before I was able to get over it. I don't think I would have if someone else had consistently been able to do it for me. I love meat and that necessitated the change haha.

[@HappyHoppe]

I was the same way too 😂

[@CMKCMK-ox3kd]

Glad you are taking a break. You deserve it.

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks 😊

[@christinamunoz3170]

Love you and your heart for these kiddos.

[@HappyHoppe]

Aww 🥰 thanks friend ❤️

[@randalynshaw7262]

Praying for you!

[@HappyHoppe]

Thanks 🙏