Aging out Monica may have fantasized about returning to her mother, but deep inside she knew that if she had not been placed in foster care she might not have survived childhood. Now that she was a teen, was Monica reconsidering? The following story is taken from the book On Their Own, a collection of stories about young people who are aging out of the foster care system. The following segment is from the story of Monica, in foster care since age 8 because of her mother's abuse and neglect. more >>>

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Feedback on the article "Aging out"

I think teen that are in care Go through a sortive, grieving process in which they are so angery that they will go to the point were they want no contact with their parent. But then to the other extream were they want to run to their parents or take back what their parents might have said or done to them, making them out to be better then they are just to make it home to a parent. missjean, age 16, WI.

In foster care Monica was shown how important family is. Monica also saw how families interact, love and support each other, which is something that her mother may not have had. From this experience Monica wanted the same opportunity for her mother and sister. Monica believed she was strong enough to help her mother and sister. I think you should try hard to discourage it, but not be forceful. Let them know this is their choice and try to show them what a terrible disadvantage they are putting themselves in. Talk about what their plans is and what is it they want for themselves. Give sometime line that will to adversely affect they achieved in your care, so they don’t fill as they have nothing to go back to. At some point you have to take a stance. Anonymous

I believe that there are way too many teen girls out there that are on their own, like as far as taking care of their child or children, because the baby's father has left them after they had the baby. Another thing is that they get married shortly after having a baby. Sy-Sy, age 16, MD.