Welcome to the Rollercoaster

by D.D. Foster

"Welcome to the Roller Coaster" was written by fourteen foster moms who have fostered a combined total of over one hundred thirty-five children. They have come together to share their personal stories in order to provide a glimpse into the real world of foster care. Though many of their journeys have been difficult, these ladies will inspire you with their stories of love, loss, and healing.

Genres: Fostering, Adoption

237 pages, Paperback

First published December 14, 2014

Reviews

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like any collection of essays or short stories, the quality varies. I gave three stars because the editor should have caught most of the typos that were still present, although I think it was published independently so it's excusable. Some stories were interesting and made me reflect on my role as a foster/adoptive parent, while others were overly religious and reeked of savior complexes. Overall the narrators focused on their own needs and feelings as foster parents- again understandable because they are writing from their perspective, but I would have liked to see more empathy and consideration of the kids who have no choice in being a part of this system.

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought back so many raw emotions from when our family attempted to get licensed to foster about 6 years ago. Fostering was just not right for our family and I have such admiration for the families who can stick it out during the tough times.

I laughed and I cried all through this book, but I mainly cheered. I cheered for the children who were brought in to these loving families and made remarkable progress. I cheered for the families for not giving up on these children and having to stand up to the system and be an advocate.

I have followed several of these family's blogs over the year and it was nice to read some of the back story on how these children came into their homes and home they ended up in the system to begin with.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each story was based in religion, which would be fine expect no where on the back of the book, the introduction or cover page does it say that the book is rooted in religion. I also quickly noticed the pattern of each story where as soon as the foster mother got “the call” the thought of the child coming into their care as their child and God was calling them to be their parent. Anyone with knowledge of the foster care system knows that this is a BAD way to start a placement. From there the foster mother just came across as selfish and not promoting reunification. Foster parents are strong, compassionate and selfless and I have no doubt that the authors of these stories are all of these things, but reading the stories, this did not always come through in their writing.

[Melani Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are foster parent stories in the words of foster parents. Each chapter tells a different story of a family's experience. Some stories are happy. Some stories do not have a happy ending at all. These are real. Anyone considering foster parenting should read this book. If you are a friend or family member of a foster parent, you might also want to read it. Fascinating and so, so real.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a year and a half to finish this book. Reading this while continuing to navigate my own foster parent journey made these stories resonate deeply. These firsthand accounts from individual foster moms (why only moms?) provide a very realistic picture of the maddening, heartbreaking, life-changing, rewarding journey of being a foster parent.

Note: Many of these stories reference God and the foster moms’ Christian faith.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great stories showing the ups and downs of foster care

These stories truly depict the turmoil and joys of foster care. If only more people would read then to know how to help support them along their journeys.

[Leah Mistick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Every story is about how “god did this and that and made bio mothers die so dreams come true and blah blah blah”. Had i known it was so heavily drenched in christianity i would have picked a different book.

[Emily Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't agree with every perspective but each chapter is raw and real and true to life. As a foster mom I teared up or felt the fire of sorrow in my heart with each chapter. This is a great preparation read for those wondering if they would like to foster children.

[Katlyn Westmeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was really pushing the Jesus angle. I wish there were more stories of older kids but it was mostly babies. Also it’s a weird thing to be like “this is my baby and my miracle” when the whole point of fostering kids is to have reunification. Odd. Not a huge fan of the book.

[Sarah Riggs]

This has probably been the most helpful book I've read on foster care in regards to what to expect.

[Leiloni Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are heartbreaking, and hearwarming at the same time. I feel that reading this book has helped to better prepare for our fostercare journey up ahead.

[Kivalina Mauck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cool

This is the sweetest book. I would love to foster kids but my health is not the best no more

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is fostering needs to read this book!!!!!!

[Samantha Brake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. 💕

[Samantha Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good compilation of stories from different foster moms that will pull at your heart strings, make you question both a choice to foster and why you haven't started fostering already.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heart wrenching book. It was so beautiful at times and so heart breaking at others. It truly was a rollercoaster to even read the stories.

[Brit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written as a series of essays by foster moms, this was a "quick" read, but I'm wary of calling it easy. Truly a good resource for people looking into foster care as an option for their family, or people who just want to learn more about the system. Enlightening, and at times, gut-wrenching, there were few essays that didn't bring me to the brink of tears.

[Cariann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the stories, they all provided great insight in to foster care. Almost every single story has religion as one of the reasons the foster parents 'foster'. Since I am not religious in the traditional sense - it was hard to relate to how they coped. It would be nice to include some stories without a religious undertone and how those families coped. It does emphasis the amount of support foster families really need and often do not get.

[Beth Gustas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a mind-boggling look at the highs and lows of foster care...it truly is a roller coaster. The uninitiated may find it a bit crushing in parts, but you'll get a raw and realistic look at what dealing with this broken system can truly be like. A small side note, many of the chapters do come from a strong Christian perspective and this may be a bit inaccessible for those who do not embrace this world view. All in all however, it is admirable addition to the reading list of any foster and/or adoptive parent and those who are considering this path.

[Teena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moved by the ride!!

I loved this compilation of foster care stories. The good the bad the ugly, here for you to see before you jump on the ride, or to encourage you if you are on it. This is not an easy journey, but we didn't choose it for easy, we chose it for the kids!!

[Megan Reuther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very depressing, uplifting, raw, and inspiring read. I'm glad I read this when the ink was dry on our license. Bravo to the writers for sharing and living their stories.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read fellow foster-parents' stories, some though not all, were not the most well written or engaging.