Parenting doesn’t come with instructions… and let’s be honest, it’s rarely easy. Whether you’re balancing life as a single parent, stepping in as a grandparent, or opening your home through foster care or adoption, every day brings new challenges. But it’s in those challenges that some of the most powerful wins happen: the moments that remind us why love and family are worth it.

In this article, you’ll read five real parenting stories that will stick with you. They’re stories of strength, resilience and the effort that holds families together. If you’ve ever had a tough parenting day, these stories will remind you that you’re not alone — and that even in the hard times, something beautiful can grow.

Support That Meets Parents Where They Are

When life feels like too much, it can take everything just to get through the day. Many parents face custody battles, challenging child or teen behaviors, or their own struggles with mental health — and on top of that, the constant stress of bills, rent and putting food on the table. Carrying all of this alone can feel impossible.

That’s why KVC Kansas surrounds parents with support that meets them where they are. From parenting classes and therapy, to help with substance use and family reunification after foster care, we walk alongside families as they work to create safety and stability at home.

One of the best ways we support families is through our 2Generation (2Gen) program. Instead of offering quick fixes, 2Gen gets to the heart of what families are facing: things like money struggles, relationship stress and not having a stable place to live. Parents get access to education, housing resources and job opportunities, plus a caring KVC team member who walks alongside them with steady, one-on-one support.

Right now, 2Gen is helping families in 27 Kansas counties build stronger, more stable futures.

The Day Lisa Realized She Didn’t Have to Do It Alone

Lisa was working long shifts at a job that barely paid the bills, while fighting to regain custody of her son. The stress became overwhelming, and she turned to alcohol to cope. That’s when Britney, a team member with our 2Gen program, stepped in.

Britney didn’t just show up with resources — she showed up with empathy. As a co-parent herself, she understood Lisa’s struggles and became a steady voice of encouragement. Together, they set small, achievable goals: finding safer housing, building a budget and getting connected with mental health therapy.

“Having me in her corner really helped her see things through to the end,” recalls Britney.

With KVC’s support, Lisa rebuilt her life piece by piece. Today, she has a stable job, reliable transportation and a safe home for her son. She’s also reconnected with her parents and her son’s father, and her mental health has taken a big step forward. Read more about Lisa’s story and other parents’ 2Gen stories here!

A Single Parent’s Story That Reminds Us We All Need a Village 

Raising a child alone takes more than courage — it takes heart, grit and endless determination. For single parents, the weight of work, bills and parenting can feel like too much. And when reunifying with a child after foster care, that weight can feel even heavier. That’s why KVC doesn’t walk away when things get hard. We stay by a parent’s side as long as it takes, through programs like Aftercare, to help families stay connected and strong long after reunification.

A Mother-Daughter Bond Strong Enough to Weather Any Storm

Amanda and her teenage daughter Jasmine had always been close. But when Amanda had a serious medical crisis, Jasmine entered foster care. The separation was heartbreaking, and Jasmine struggled with her own mental health and unsafe behaviors.

Still, Amanda never stopped fighting for her daughter. As she worked through her recovery, she focused on creating a safe, stable home where her daughter, Jasmine, could thrive. With the steady support of a KVC therapist and our Aftercare team, Amanda and Jasmine began rebuilding their relationship step by step.

Jasmine started to show patience, understanding that her mom needed time to heal. She took on more chores around the house, became more responsible, and grew into a young woman who could honor boundaries while still leaning on her mom.

Amanda, meanwhile, found strength in the support system KVC helped surround her with. Our team walked into courtrooms with her, advocated for services and stayed present through the ups and downs. Most of all, KVC gave Amanda space to see and celebrate the positive changes in her daughter — her resilience, her maturity and her willingness to grow.

“Amanda showed that she never fails at what she does or what she wants,” said Sarah, a KVC Kansas Aftercare worker. “They are the true definition of a great family who never gives up on each other!”

Today, Amanda and Jasmine are not only safely reunited, but they’re closer than ever. They’ve built a healthier bond rooted in trust, patience and the kind of love that carries families through even the toughest storms.

A Parenting Story of Love That Spans Miles

There’s something special about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Grandparents bring a sense of comfort and wisdom that can feel like home. And when life takes an unexpected turn, many grandparents don’t hesitate to step in and care for their grandchildren — often putting their own plans aside to give kids the stability and love they need.

At KVC, we know how much this matters. When a grandparent or another family member steps up during a difficult time, children and teens are reminded that they are not alone… that family can still hold them close, even when life feels like a lot. That’s why we’re here to support grandparents and kinship caregivers every step of the way.

Grandmother Willing to Go the Distance

When siblings Jason, Jacqueline and Jordan entered foster care, their grandmother, Tricia, made herself a promise: distance wouldn’t stop her from being part of their lives. Living in the northeast while the children were in Kansas, she called them often, made long trips to visit and stayed as involved as she could. One of the most important things she did was build a close partnership with their foster parents, Jessica and Daniel.

KVC case managers walked alongside the children and their foster parents throughout this time. They checked in regularly, made sure the kids felt supported and cared for, and encouraged foster parents, Jessica and Daniel, as they developed a connection with Tricia. KVC also helped keep Tricia connected to her grandchildren, so the children never lost their family ties.

Jessica and Daniel welcomed Tricia as part of their family, working with her to keep the children’s connection to their biological family strong. Together, they surrounded the kids with love and support from every side. With KVC’s guidance, this partnership gave Jason, Jacqueline and Jordan the sense of safety and belonging they needed most.

When Jason went through some especially hard times and needed extra care, Tricia didn’t hesitate; she welcomed him into her home. Today, Jason is thriving in the northeast, surrounded by his grandmother’s steady love.

This parenting story shows how grandparents can be a source of strength for families, and how foster parents, relatives and KVC working together can create a circle of care that helps children and teens grow and heal. Love doesn’t depend on distance… it depends on showing up, again and again.

The Heart of Foster Parenting: Creating Room for Healing & Hope for the Whole Family

Foster parents do so much more than provide a safe place for a child or teen to live. They step into a child or teen’s life during one of the hardest seasons and offer comfort, stability and hope. But one of the most powerful parts of foster parenting is the way they support reunification. They help youth stay connected to their biological families and cheer parents on as they work toward being safely together again.

Sometimes that means sitting side by side with a biological parent at a school event, encouraging a child to call their mom or dad, or speaking words of hope when families feel discouraged. Foster parents help create a bridge — holding space for love, healing and connection.

Across the country, foster parents walk this journey every day. Their love and patience not only make children and teens feel safe, but also help families find their way back to each other. It’s a parenting story of compassion, resilience and partnership.

Foster Parents Provide the Love Youth Need to Just Be a Kid Again 

Jennifer and Brad, KVC Kansas foster parents

Jennifer and Brad have been foster parents with KVC for over 12 years. In that time, they’ve opened their home to pre-teen and teen girls who’ve been through some really tough experiences — things like struggles at school, involvement with the juvenile justice system or developmental challenges.

What they’ve learned along the way is simple but powerful: kids need stability. Clear and consistent expectations help youth feel safe, and encouragement to set goals helps them see what’s possible for their future. Jennifer and Brad say their foster parenting journey hasn’t just changed the lives of the youth in their care… it’s changed theirs too.

One story that stays close to their hearts is about Grace (name changed for her privacy). When Grace came to live with them in elementary school, she needed more than just a roof over her head—she needed a chance to just be a kid.

With Jennifer and Brad by her side, Grace got to experience things many kids may take for granted. She went to summer camp for the first time, took swimming lessons and played softball. Each experience gave her more confidence and a chance to make happy memories.

What made Grace’s story even more special was the way Jennifer and Brad worked with her grandparents. They built a true partnership, making sure Grace stayed connected to her biological family. That teamwork gave Grace a strong circle of love and support during a really big time in her life.

Even now, Grace still keeps in touch with Jennifer and Brad. She calls to share life updates and sometimes starts the call with, “Mom, guess what?”

Their bond has lasted long after her time in foster care — a reminder that the love and connections built through fostering can last a lifetime.

The Realities and Rewards of Adopting From Foster Care

The heart of foster care is safe family reunification — helping children and teens safely return to their biological families whenever possible. Foster parents are a huge part of that process, often cheering on and supporting parents who are working hard to reunite. But sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts, reunification isn’t possible.

When that happens, the courts rule that adoption can become the next step. It’s not about a “happily ever after,” but about giving children and teens lasting stability, support and love. Adoption often brings both joy and challenges — especially for teens and sibling groups who have waited the longest for a permanent home. But when foster parents say yes, they change the course of a child’s life forever.

A Parenting Story of Saying Yes — Again and Again

Jessica and her husband never imagined they’d adopt four children. They started out as respite care providers —offering short-term care to teens who needed a safe place for a night or a weekend. Adoption was something they were open to, but they pictured maybe welcoming one or two children into their family.

Then one evening, a 15-year-old girl came to their home for what was supposed to be just a quick overnight stay. But one night turned into weeks, and weeks turned into a year. Soon after, her siblings also needed care, and Jessica and her husband once again said yes. Before long, their family had grown to four children, including two with complex needs.

From the beginning, Jessica and her husband were committed to reunification. “Reunification was the goal. Reunification was the plan,” Jessica explains. But as time passed, it became clear that what these siblings needed most was consistency — a family who wouldn’t leave, no matter what.

So Jessica and her husband made a promise: they would be the last foster home these children ever had, whether that meant continuing as their foster parents for as long as it took to help them safely reunify with their parents or through adoption. Two years later, Jessica said she wouldn’t change a thing.

“No matter what the future holds, we will embrace it,” she shares. “We expect nothing and hope to discover everything.”

For older youth and sibling groups, who often wait the longest to be adopted, foster parents like Jessica and her husband are life-changing. Their parenting story is a reminder that adoption is not the end of the journey — it’s the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with both challenges and incredible love.

Become a Foster Parent with KVC Kansas

There’s a child or teen who needs someone just like YOU – and at KVC Kansas, we make sure the opportunity to foster is open to all people. You can foster a child or teen at any stage of life, regardless of your relationship status, gender identity, income level or where you live. What matters most is how much you care. We have options that work in your life, right where you are – for exactly who you are.

Contact us today to learn how we help foster parents succeed, every step of the way.