After having two previously scheduled trips fall through, Michaela and Brandon Keilen were finally able to travel to Israel. It really was the trip of a lifetime. They were sad to leave their foster sons, but the government workers in charge of the boys' case encouraged them to go. Brandon's sister babysat for the week that Michaela and Brandon were away. The Keilens share highlights from their trip in their latest YouTube video.
If I could have a Christmas miracle it would be for Michaela and Brandon to be legal parents to their boys.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you pray instead that the biological parents have the strength and wisdom to be able to raise their own boys again?
Delete@4:52pm I pray for that too! Michaela and Brandon are such a Sweet Couple! That was so Awesome they got to go on the trip of a lifetime to Israel! And God provided them with the perfect person to take care of the boys while they were gone! God is So Good!
Deleteyou must be joking what was so important that they left their foster kids to go a trip wonder why social workers allowed that
Delete3:53. Those boys I fully believe are Michaela and Brandon’s children. God makes the barren mother of children. It’s a beautiful story of redemption for all involved. Adoption, in my opinion, is the greatest love story because God adopted us.
DeletePeople go on trips all the time and leave their own biological kids behind. Leave it to the decision of the ones that count.
Delete6:26 God didn't "adopt" us - He created us in His own image.
Delete6:26 People tend to underestimate the trauma involved for adoptees, even if placed in loving homes. Adoption is a result of significant loss.. for the adoptee and the biological parent(s). Often times, the adoptive parents have struggled with infertility, which can be a devastating loss. IMO... A loving god would not allow infertility, nor a need for foster care. At the very least, those who are not fit to parent would not be procreating.
Delete10:14, read the New Testament. It talks about God adopting those who trust Jesus as their Savior. Jesus is called "the only begotten Son."
Delete10:18. I am an adoptive parent. I agree adoption is based in trauma. Parents who’ve more than likely gone through infertility or child loss through miscarriage and children conceived by persons whom can not (for a myriad of reasons) care for the child(ren). But, I stand by my statement. Adoption, in my opinion and experience, is the greatest story of redemption for all parties involved by a Very Good Heavenly Father in a very broken world. Redemption doesn’t mean easy or without cost. It cost Jesus His very life to redeem me! I’m forever, eternally grateful for my children.
DeleteSo many people here want to see the Keilens burnt out and exhausted. Or have those little boys bounced around from home to home.
DeleteI suspect the Keilens are doing foster-to-adopt. Most likely the bio father isn't in the picture, and the bio mother doesn't want to raise the kids. I'm glad those boys arent going to be bounced around for years in the vain hope the bio parents will become responsible. Because that's very unlikely.
Delete@12:27 Bouncing the boys from home to home is exactly what we don't want to see. Which is why the people who promised to take care of the kids should be doing that 24/7/365, not taking trips and leaving them with someone else. If I left my dog with you to look after, say while I was hospitalized, I would expect you to do what you agreed to do, not find someone you know who would do it for you instead while you went off and did something you thought was more fun than the responsibility you chose to take on.
Delete3:18 Do you feel the same about biological parents leaving their kids with sitters to go on a vacation? It is completely unrealistic to expect foster parents to provide care 24/7/365. It's a difficult and demanding job as it is and there's a shortage of people willing to take on the responsibility for someone else's children.
Delete3:18, going on one trip without the boys is not "bouncing the boys from home to home." It's already over and done with. Time to find something else to criticize.
Delete@7:22am So true! I agree with you! Caretakers take breaks from caregiving, whether you are a parent caring for your precious children or a daughter or son caring for your cherished elderly parents, it’s good for you to take a break for a day or two or a week vacation from time to time. Brandon and Michaela, FaceTimed the boys each day they were gone and the boys were cared for by their loving dependable, responsible aunt!
DeleteThis is one of the most unusual foster care arrangements I have ever heard of! Michaela and Brandon talk about and show various outings involving these children (apparently without regard to confidentiality standards). Now, they are taking a trip out of the country and leaving the foster care children in the care of others (even though they're family). I question their sincerity as Foster Parents. Looks like they're in it for the "clicks".
ReplyDeleteThey have not shown the children or said their names or told their story. Foster care parents are absolutely allowed to go on trips separately and the foster kids go to respite care provided by an approved provider, in this case Brandon’s sister. Everything they do has to be approved by the social worker. It sounds like every other foster situation I’ve heard of, and the kids are in an excellent home while they wait for decisions about their future.
DeleteWhat a strange and frankly ugly thing to imply. Michaela and Brandon are taking their sons on outings and to family gatherings just like all parents do. They also explained their trip was planned and they put all legal systems in place before they left. And, the boys were left with their Auntie!!
Deletei agee. This doesn't sound like a typical foster care arrangement. I wonder what's really going onhere.
Delete5:18 Agreed. I wouldn't let "government workers" decide what's best for me to do when it came to taking care of those kids. They probably already don't know who they belong to or who's in charge. Why bounce them around even one day more just so you can take your "trip of a lifetime." Sounds selfish. Sounds like the Keilens want it all, instant family AND private vacations.
DeleteThey are in fact, doing the exact opposite of what you are blaming them for!!!! They did NOT have an easy time leaving their foster children behind, nor are they having no regard for their privacy!!!! They have never told us their names nor showed us pictures of them, so they are totally fine with what they are doing!!!! And they are not going to be abstaining from spending time with their families on account of having foster children, so they would take them with to them! I’m sure that they don’t allow them to take pictures or videos of them!!
DeleteI disagree entirely and clearly so does foster services. Are parents unable to ever take a trip? Those little boys are so very lucky to have those parents. If only all foster parents were as loving and obviously capable as this couple.
DeleteWhat?!! Respite care is offered for foster families. Many parents vacation without their children. This is no different. If you've ever watched them talk about these foster children you would know they're NOT doing it for clicks!!
DeleteConfidentially violations? Are you making things up?
Agreed. I didn't think you could leave the state when you are a foster parent, let alone head to a war zone!
DeleteThey can’t take the kids with them. I assume Brandon’s sister has a foster parent license?
Delete@12:01pm, 12:58pm, 5:02pm,
Delete6:15pm, 7:22pm WELL SAID!
God Bless Brandon & Michaela,
and their 2 precious foster boys!
A foster parent can absolutely leave the state. They just can’t take the children with them unless they have permission, sometimes comes from the social worker and sometimes must be approved of by the birth parent. Otherwise, the foster parent can go alone and approved respite care is provided. I was a respite provider so I have first hand experience with this.
DeleteFoster parents do very demanding work 24/7. If they have the opportunity to take a break and those supervising their foster parenting are not just saying it's ok but encouraging them to do it, who are you to think you know better? Armchair quarterbacking is the easiest thing to do, but I'll bet you take breaks from it.
DeleteFoster parents are not restricted from traveling and respite care is available. There aren't enough people willing to foster as it is.
Delete3:59, I hate to tell you but foster parents are just people with physical custody. The government are the parent’s of the children. A foster parent needs the social worker to give permission at doctor appointment and school field trips. At any time they can walk into the home and take the kids. The couple is not in charge of the kids. The government is in charge of the kids. Sometimes they find a great aunt elsewhere and the kids are moved and there is nothing the couple can do. The goal is to send them to mom and/or dad. Sometimes they move to another foster home a few years later. Just not a match. Or the couple does not have space if an attempt at reunification fails. You know not all bio parents bad. Some are just dealing with an illness and don’t have family and can’t raise them during treatment to which they will recover. Going back is not always bad. They are not entitled to someone’s children. It may work out long term. Or maybe there will be many kids coming through their home? Maybe they will embrace the role and can do it many times. Any foster parent can go on a trip and the state decides who will do respite. The foster parents can’t just get the kids passports.
Delete@6:00 But if the gov't says it's OK for you to leave the kids and take a trip, yet you feel in your heart that further separation wouldn't be in the best interest of the children, why do what the gov't says? In that case. You can easily choose not to go on a trip, not like the other things you mentioned.
DeleteI LOVE hearing Brandon and Michaela talk about their boys!
ReplyDeleteI hate hearing about them. I wish they'd stop talking about them so much.
Delete@1:02pm I agree! I also Love hearing them talk about their foster boys! You can just sense their love and devotion to them in the words they speak and in their smiles and chuckles of laughter in describing the cute & funny and darling things their boys do and say. Their eyes sparkle and their faces glow with love for their 2 foster boys!
DeleteYou’re crazy! They don’t ever show their kids or anything, they’re only made mention of. They made appropriate arrangements legally. I speak as one that was in the same type of scenario once in the foster care system.. they deserve to travel just as much as anyone else.
ReplyDelete@1:48pm I agree! God is so Good, in providing this trip for them and to also provide such a Wonderful caretaker for the children, (Brandon’s sister), who they know and trust! And the boys have spent time with her and have gotten to know her. Also she was able to come and be with the family a few days before they left to help the boys feel comfortable with her caring for them. Also they were able to face time the boys everyday, while they were in Israel, which was a Blessing!
Delete1:48 With a "good" God, there'd be no need for foster care in the first place. Every single child would be born into a loving home where their needs are met.
DeleteFoster homes became a need when parents started making bad decisions or unexpected tragedies happen & it’s to much for a parent without a support system(ie: family)caused them to not be able to care properly for their child(ren).
DeleteLife still happens(it rains on the just & the unjust alike) being a Christian has nothing to do with what’s fair or not sometimes. Yet every day we live is still a blessing! It stinks but it happens & good foster home for as long as necessary is a blessing.
Delete9:55, God is good - He's not the one who made bad choices, people do that.
Delete9:55 without a good God we would have no hope of salvation through the blood of Jesus. You have things mixed up..sin entered the world.. those people choose to make bad choices..not being fit parents.
Delete@7:38 An all-powerful, good and loving god wouldn't permit innocent children to suffer because their parents made bad choices. Doing so is a bad choice, IMO.. even for a god.
Delete@7:38pm & 9:19pm Well Said! God is So Good! He came to rescue us from our sins!
Delete4:31, God didn't make us robots. There's not some on/off switch that makes people not hurt other people.
DeleteI wonder if the children are related to their pastor or someone in their church family.
ReplyDeleteNone of our business! Seriously- the audacity of some ppl!?😳 Nosy Ned or Nelly- That’s obviously private info. 🗂️🚫Just be happy for them!
Delete@11:59 My SIL fostered 3 sibling children and was definitely allowed to say who the children were, where they came from, and what had happened to their parents. It wasn't any sort of secret. It helped the rest of our family understand why she was fostering and helped us know how to best welcome the children. If the Keilens explained a little more, maybe people wouldn't be wondering. They are walking right on that line between wanting the world to know exactly what they're doing and not telling anything.
Delete9:25, there's a big difference between telling those details to those who know you and telling the whole wide world.
DeleteI agree above. Also don't like the fact want them to adopt them. THESE CHILDREN PARENTS!
ReplyDeleteThey have parents who abused or neglected them. They may even still suffer physical injuries from that abuse, right now. But you want them to suffer more
DeleteSince when do you abandon the commitment you took on (fostering) just so you can go on some "dream" trip? Kids (especially foster kids) are not dogs you drop off at the kennel when you want to travel. Sounds like everyone involved needs a stern talking-to, starting with the foster agency which doesn't sound as if they cared either. Israel's been there 2000+ years. The Keilens could have waited to go until their commitment at home was done. If it wasn't a good time to go, they'd just have to be patient and wait like responsible adults.
ReplyDeleteI agree. However there is a shortage of foster parents and it sounds like the agency is bending rules to keep them on as foster parents.
DeleteYes, let's discourage people from being foster parents! Let's make it hard for them. Then more abused children can sleep in DHS offices or institutions.
DeleteI didn't know foster parents were allowed to hand the kids they are caring for off to relatives while they travel abroad. It seems very strange to me.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you.
DeleteFoster families are able to travel as they like. The children must be in the care of someone licensed. Some foster just to be respite. To care for children when the family goes somewhere the foster child isn’t allowed.
Delete@2:25 Foster parents often take a respite and leave the children with a trusted individual/couple. The case workers have to approve of the respite caregivers.
Delete2:45. They mentioned the sister’s need to be fingerprinted and sounds like she was also interviewed. If social services were encouraging them to go, sounds like they got the green light to go. They did the things normal parents would do, not so unusual for parents to go on trips without children. I agree with them, the children were too young for that kind of trip.
Delete@11:24 Oh so because someone's fingerprinted, it's OK to run off and leave your responsibility with them while you go fulfill your fantasy? There's a huge difference between what people are allowed to do and what they SHOULD do.
Delete3:05 Do you have the same expectation for biological parents, that they never go on vacation without the kids? Fostering is a huge commitment and there is a shortage of people willing to do it. To expect that foster parents devote themselves to 24/7 care without a vacation or respite is unrealistic, IMO.
DeleteIt's not the same, 7:13. Being a foster parent is a chosen responsibility for children who have been through all sorts of unpleasant things. You are promising to give the children a stable situation and show them what good parental responsibility feels like. Walking away from that responsibility to go to Israel is a choice too, but not a good one. The message to the foster children becomes (in their minds) "You're not good enough for me to stay home for." Bio children (usually) don't have abandonment issues. Foster children (often) do. You might think a "vacation" doesn't trigger that but you'd be surprised. Separation of any sort is triggering.
Delete3:05, oh my goodness. They KNOW and TRUST his sister to take care of the kids for this temporary time. I'm sure everything went fine and they are back with the boys now. The overreaction to this thing is ridiculous.
Delete@7:13am Totally agree! So Ridiculous to expect anyone to do anything 24/7/365! I agree with you that Everyone needs to be refreshed and take some respite time. They left the boys with a loving, Fun, responsible, dependable Aunt! Those boys are so fortunate to have such loving caring foster parents as Michaela and Brandon!
DeleteThey did Not walk away from their responsibility. They FaceTimed the boys daily. God Bless their little family! I thank God for all the Foster Parents who love, nurture and care for precious children who need them.
@10:17 Yes, fostering is a "chosen" responsibility and children who already have experienced trauma deserve a stable and predictable environment. Unfortunately, the reality is that there aren't enough people willing to take it on. If your expectation is that foster parents devote 24/7/365 care without a vacation, you will further delete the pool of foster parents willing to do the job. How does that solve anything?
DeleteI'm saddened by most of the comments above. Sickened is more the word for it. The constant judgment on this website is mind boggling. Wonder if you all attack your family and friends this way too? That poor family can't win for losing. I'm sure if there was a blog on how they tie their shoelaces, you'd all have opinions and advice on that too.
ReplyDeleteWhen people post their lives on the internet and invite comment, not everyone is going to agree with what they do. I doubt this family is as trubled by the comments that are made as you are.
Delete👍🏻
Delete12:15,I guess it makes you feel justified in saying negative things about other people's decisions. How would you feel if those comments were about you?
DeleteAgree, and you know Michaela isn't the type to treat these rude commenters they way they treat her.
Delete@11:40 Is it impossible to understand that most people live mundane lives, perfectly happy, without making decisions others would say negative things about, and not feeling the need to make money over-sharing personal things online?
Delete@7:32 It saddens me that there are parents (foster or otherwise) who use social media in ways to publically discuss or film their children. I commend the Keilen's for fostering, but there's a fine line here. The public has access to the ages and genders of the children in their care. This simply isn't in the best interests of those kids, IMO.
DeleteHow would those boys be hurt by people knowing the Keilens are caring for a 3 year old boy and a newborn boy? What have you done to help children with abusive parents?
Delete11:43 I commended the Keilens for fostering. But, divulging anything about those children on social media is placing their privacy at risk. BTW, my husband and I have adopted two abandoned children. How about you?
DeleteI am happy that the Keilans could go on their dream trip to Israel! I am sure they missed their foster boys and checked on them every day. They are dedicated devoted foster parents and I am sure loving the boys as their own sons!! The boys were left in very capable hands for a week and I am sure extra loving from their aunt! I know fostering children is a hard job and Michaela and Brandon are doing their BEST caring for the boys every day now and I am sure they spoiled them with gifts during the holidays!! We LOVE and support in prayer this sweet family!!
ReplyDeleteI WISH PEOPLE ON HERE WOULD QUIT REFERING TO THE FOSTER BOY AS THERE THESE BOYS HAVE PARENTS.
ReplyDeleteThe boys are their children. They do have parents. THEIR names are Michaela and Brandon.
Delete11:56. I suppose most of the fans are praying they will be able to adopt the boys. It would be sad to see them go in and out of foster care until they were 18. Every child desires a home of their own.
DeleteI suspect people who are so worried about these two boys have never fostered themselves. And have never done anything to help abused children. But they judge the Keilens for not working 24/7 to do the same.
DeleteI would think we all understand what "theirs" means in this case. We all know it's temporary and we all know they are acting in a parental capacity at this time.
Delete@11:20 You don't need to foster to be a good parent to your kids and to know good parenting when you see it (and bad parenting too).
Delete9:22 Unless the parental rights of the biological parents have been terminated, they do generally retain their legal parent status. Foster parents provide temporary care and the state retains temporary legal custody. The goal of these situations is to reunite with biological family, unless it's been determined by the court that this in not in the best interests of the child. So, no... the Keilen's are not the legal parents of the children in their care. This can only happen if they legally adopt them.
DeleteHow long have Michaela and Brandon been Foster Parents? (I think it's been less than a year).
ReplyDelete"Parents" are the people who take care of you and love you when you are vulnerable and helpless. There are many biological "parents" who are not parents at all. I don't agree with the Keilens' religious beliefs, but they are clearly parents to these two little boys. Their biological parents are not--it takes a lot to be removed from a home. I only hope these little boys haven't suffered permanent physical or emotional damage from abuse or neglect.
ReplyDeleteOf course those boys suffered something. And now they have 2 people who were supposed to take care of them and normalize their lives flitting off to see Israel instead.
Delete11:24 Regardless of personal feelings, the ultimate goal in foster situations is to eventually reunite children with their biological parents or family. There are many factors the court will consider before parental rights are terminated for good. There's no way for us to know the circumstances that led to these two children being placed in foster care with the Keilens.
Delete4:42 you are correct we do not know the circumstances of why an infant and toddler were in need of protective care, and placed in the Kellen’s home. However we do know how difficult it is to lose your parental rights. It’s hard to say, perhaps the biological parents are considering what would be best for the children. Who knows perhaps one of the parents parental rights are being signed off. Praying for the best for these two precious lives, and hoping it doesn’t mean a lifetime in and out of foster care.
DeleteThese boys have parents. They are in foster care. Please pray the boys go back to them. We don't have the details why they are in foster care. Don't judge the parents.
ReplyDeleteThe parents likely abused or neglected them. It's not easy to get your kids removed. For that matter, the parents may not even want the boys back. I'll judge them for these things--children are blessings!
DeleteDo you know for a fact these boys were abused and neglected? you DON'T KNOW IF THEY WERE OR NOT. shouldn't JUDGE others.
DeleteThey would not have been removed if they weren't abused or neglected. I can assure you, it is very, very VERY hard to get CPS to remove kids. It only happens in extreme situations.
Delete11:38. We don’t know if going back to the biological parents is best for the boys. We need to pray that the best option for the boys will be fulfilled and like has already been mentioned..the boys do not have a childhood filled with in and out of foster care.
ReplyDeleteTraveling outside the U.S. without your foster children usually requires a court order (court approval) along with extensive background checks if you're not leaving the children with another licensed foster family. To put case workers and the court through weeks of paperwork processing because you need to see Israel does seem rather self-centered.
ReplyDeleteYes!
DeleteGood! I hope they do something self-centered. They've been caring for those kids for months, and that's exactly what they need to do. Plus they are always helping others. How many foster kids do you care for?
DeleteThey chose to care for those kids because of something they were lacking and something they wanted. It's not a part-time job or something you walk away from whenever you feel like it. Some of us foster kids and some of us foster animals and some of us care for family members full-time. Do you think one kind of care is more noble than another? I would have loved to have gone overseas but my care commitment came first and I never even gave sightseeing a thought let alone acted on it. And glad I didn't.
Delete2:51. Well said. As was previously mentioned on the video they were told to go by foster care overseers. His sister was already fingerprinted and familiar with the children, doesn’t sound too confusing to me.
Delete@7:46pm You said it perfectly in a nutshell! I agree, it’s not confusing to me either!
Delete@2:51pm Yes! Everyone needs to relax and to get refreshed and recharged. So glad Michaela and Brandon got to get away for a little vacation together!
ReplyDelete