Two Little Boys; Two Little bags

We had two boys come to us late Thursday night. It was tough for them; they were scared and unsure, but remained calm and polite. Going to bed was the hardest part, one wanted to call his mom “just to check in,” he was respectful but confused and frustrated when I told him that we could not.

I have thought many times how I would like to have some sort of welcome basket on my kids’ beds waiting for them when they come to my home, I’m not sure what it would include, a stuffed toy or beanie baby, bible, cool pen or pencil, journal… still deciding, but how I wished I had one Thursday! I wanted to give him something of his very own to cuddle, to reassure him that he’ll get to talk to his mom as soon as is allowed and that we’ll take good care of him until then.  He quivered with anxiety, and just couldn’t settle down, I was at a loss as to what to do. Actually this is my first experience with kids that haven’t been in foster care prior to my home, sad as it is, the others have walked through my front door a bit calloused, with an air of confidence, like they knew this routine. These little guys are fresh into this crazy system.

The next day my FFA social worker was able to meet up with me and bring me some Mystuff bags. It was SO nice! Each boy got a duffle bag with a blanket, beanie, coloring book, reading book, crayons, and a mini bag with tooth brush, comb, soap and toothpaste, then one got some Star Trek action figures, while the other got a little wooden car and a Cootie game. It was so nice that they could have something all their own! 

The My Stuff Bags Foundation website says, “…with the help of thousands of people across the country, [we] provide these unfortunate children with new belongings and new hope through our innovative “My Stuff Bags” program.” It’s true, I love the My Stuff Bags Foundation and I am so thankful for the joy and comfort that it brought to my little boys during this difficult time. 

 

I posted these pictures on facebook to share with friends how blessed we felt through these wonderful blue bags. I heard back from another mom whose now adopted daughters still have and treasure their blankets that they first received when they came into care six years ago. This organization is truly making a difference!  If you would like to get involved, you can check out their site here: www.mystuffbags.org/.

I do still want to do some sort of welcome basket to have something personally from us and to ensure that they will have it when they first get here, not always the case with the mystuff bags. If you were to do a welcome basket or bag, to welcome a child into your home, what would you include?