I've been thinking about being a single mom to an older foster kid.

I love kids. I love teaching, I love babysitting. I love everything about parenting. I do not, however, love the idea of birth, pregnancy, or babies. I also don't want to adopt a baby, even if that means missing out on those early years with my child. <br><br>When I was younger I felt like this meant I couldn't be a mother. I was too chicken for surrogacy and too poor for egg donor surrogacy. <br><br>I started reading about foster care when I saw someone shared an article on Facebook. I didn't read the article, I did some of my own research and decided that was probably what I wanted to do. I would foster through the system for a couple of years and when I was in my 30's, if I really connected with a kid, I'd probably set up an informal arrangement and raise them. <br><br>Now I'm a teacher for students who are 7th-12th grade. Many of my kids are from low-income and troubled households. I've connected so much with so many, and some I would absolutely love to be closer with. <br><br>I've been tossed around the idea of fostering a high schooler, maybe even one I've already connected with if they need a place to stay. I'm 23, I know it's not common for people my age to foster, but I live alone, I have a good career, I've been training for this role my whole life. <br><br>What I'm worried about is if I should foster with the intention of adopting, or just foster a kid for a few years. I really don't want to be a mom to a baby, but I don't know if I want to be a mom forever. I know fostering with the intention of adopting is much more common, but I just don't know. Any thoughts?