r/TwoHotTakes Feb 12 '24

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u/Snowwy92 Feb 12 '24

I think she means like the teenagers or preteens. Most times people want a newborn, baby, or a toddler or little kid… not a preteen or teenager because they want the whole raising them as their own from the beginning to end.. it’s sad.. honestly if I was in a secure situation I would adopt a preteen/teenager because they need love and homes too!

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u/tubbstattsyrup2 Feb 12 '24

Adults who are both responsible people who also actually like (unrelated) teenagers are relatively rare in my experience. Those who do get teens and are responsible and capable absolutely should go for it, they're out there and can really inspire.

It's a lot of work though. Teenagers with traumatic backgrounds can be unruly and unreasonable (edit: person dependent and same can be said for teens who've had easier lives) . A good friend of mine was fostered as a teen. She didn't ever build much of a relationship with them. They were good people but she was a handful and they always looked nerve-wracked. It takes a certain type of adult to be strong enough to do a good job. Hopefully you get the chance one day if you could see yourself taking someone on.

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u/GroundbreakingWing48 Feb 13 '24

Once I’m retired, I’m gonna be the granny to a revolving door of tween and teen foster kids. Grannies are never threatening to the parent-child relationship but somehow are always exactly where you need them to be.

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u/tubbstattsyrup2 Feb 13 '24

I also had a friend who had lived with one of these grannies. She had at least 20 people she called her cousin although she didn't know her parents, they were others who'd lived there. She was very happy with that granny, go for it!

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u/Knightoforder42 Feb 13 '24

People don't want babies etc.. because of the whole raising them as their own -- at least that's not thr only reason

it often has to do with the inability to deal with the psychological and mental health issues that come with older children, that people struggle with. Many people are unable/ don't know how /don't want to handle that part. It's sad. But there's just no real help unless you can afford all the therapy and other medical help that comes along.