Quiverfull and Adoption/Fostering/Caring

[InTheFlame]

First - I'm not QF according to most definitions I've read.

Second - I'm not in here to cause trouble or debate!

I do have a query that's been percolating through my brain for a while now... where do options such as adoption, fostering, regularly taking someone else's children to give them a break, fit into the QF theology/ideology/concepts? Should we be seeking out opportunities to care for children who aren't being treated as the blessings they are? Or are only our own biological children to be considered blessings?

This isn't just a curiousity question... some idea or concept is struggling to make its way into my conscious mind, and maybe y'all can help me out!

 

[AutumnDreamer]

Well the bible talks about taking care of the orphans, that could mean the spiritually orphaned also. That is all that comes to mind unless you can be a bit more specific.

 

[oliveplants]

I personally am very uncomfortable around other people's children. But I think Christians should be only helpful and loving. Certianly the Bible speaks highly of caring for the fatherless and widow.

Even being a regular babysitter for young parents is such a blessing, (to the child, the parents, and I suppose to the sitter) and helps foster the right environment for children to be cherished. (If DH and I weren't so stubborn, it would be hard for us to have more children, because we never get a break/have no one we can trust to babysit.)

But I believe children are born to their parents for a reason, and I would have to be very careful about 'taking a child away' from his parents, or usurping the parental authority. Not to say it's never justified, just that I'd be very careful.

 

[seamonster]

My parents are quiverfull and more than half of their children have either been adopted or are in foster care, so for them it works. They cannot have any more biological children.

 

[jgonz]

Should we be seeking out opportunities to care for children who aren't being treated as the blessings they are? Or are only our own biological children to be considered blessings?

In my version of QF this is a Wonderful way to add to your household and spread the L-rd's love around.

 

[InTheFlame]

Thanks for the replies

I'm still not sure what exactly prompted the question... except that I always wanted to be like Jo from the Little Women series (lol)... I think I'll end up with a houseful of kids, but I don't think many of them will be biologically mine. Maybe God's trying to prod me to do something... *ponder*

 

[RedTulipMom]

Adoption or Foster Care is something i think God either leads you to do or doesnt! I myself have one adopted son, one bio son and am currently pregnant with child #3. Certainly nothing wrong with adoption or fostering..SOMEONE has to do it!!

 

[If Not For Grace]

I'm still not sure what exactly prompted the question

I had the same question--in my case, it lines up with "lets take care of those children who are already born" give them homes, etc, before just trying to conceive more...It's like if you really want a housefull, they are already here, aren't they? No disprespect intended..some of us are just trying to understand because we can not comprehend wanting more than 2-4 or being able to be good parents to more than that many.

 

[AutumnDreamer]

Let's try to remember that this forum was created for support of the quiverfull beliefs, not for the debate of them.

 

[ACADEMIC]

I am adopted.

Many Christians maintain that couples may legitimately not have biological children, and caring for orphans or adopting is frequently cited as a wonderful alternative to such.

Even QF author Samuel Owen argues that birth control may be permissable for married couples called to a "higher moral purpose" than having children, such as caring long-term for many orphans or serving as career missionaries in a dangerous location.

Among QF authors, Owen obviously presents a minority view on the matter.

Some Christians maintain adopting or caring for the already-born neglected is ethically higher than having biological children. I think it is certainly something more couples should consider but it is not binding. I maintain that having or not having biological children are both Biblically legitimate options for married Christians.

 

[JulySheMustFly]

InTheFlame - I was brewing this question over with my husband a while ago. We are not quiverfull in the biological sense but are strongly led to have a full home by fostering or adoption in the future. I have known too many children who have been tossed around the system with bad experiences. I want to be a positive memory for them. I feel that in some ways those children who need the love would be more of a blessing for us than if we had more of our own.