In full disclosure, I was going into this movie expecting to pull a few scenes of comparison to our story of fostering our Wonders to document here on this blog. And then the few scenes became 10….and then the ending was so closely related to ours…..that it rocked my core, had my entire crew in sobbing, loud tears, and would be impossible to sum up in one blog post. This movie did an amazing job of documenting the trauma, grief and hilariously ridiculous journey that is fostering both the little and not-so little kiddos in need of families. Both Scott and I commented on how we knew where the actual foster parents were sitting because their laughter was a little louder, laced with a little pain, and came at parts that other members of the audience weren’t sure if they were “allowed” to laugh at such a scene.We decided to bring our “instant” kiddos along to see this movie….knowing there was swear words and knowing it might bring up some trauma for them. As usual, I don’t shy away from these opportunities in movies….I think the bringing up of emotions and processing that can happen afterward is very powerful and seeing their story depicted accurately on a movie scene can be normalizing and healing in a way.

The part that was hardest to watch and hardest for our kiddos was where the poor trio of kiddos were anticipating going back with their biological mother towards the end of the movie….and instead got a social worker showing up to say that biological mother had disappeared. The grief and abandonment was so raw, EVEN though the new loving family was there and ready to swoop in. This scene was our exact story towards the end of our fostering journey heading toward adoption and WonderGIRL and BOY still process how hurt and angry she is that her biological mother didn’t “show up to court to fight for them.”

If you are a foster parent, or you have foster parents in your tribe, please go see this movie. Sometimes it is hard for us to talk through all of the pain and chaos that is happening in our house, because we want to protect the childrens’ stories and keep their pain contained. But the compassion fatigue, confusion over triggers, system brokenness, and other perils are amazingly showcased in this movie and could give you some perspective and a little “day in the life” view of life in the foster system.

Have you seen this yet??? HIGHLY recommend (obviously). Once you see it, remember you can’t unsee it….and there are a million ways you can support foster families and children in our area especially coming up on the holiday season….reach out and ask if you’re willing and wanting to learn more!!!