Aging out Monica may have fantasized about returning to her mother, but deep inside she knew that if she had not been placed in foster care she might not have survived childhood. Now that she was a teen, was Monica reconsidering? The following story is taken from the book On Their Own, a collection of stories about young people who are aging out of the foster care system. The following segment is from the story of Monica, in foster care since age 8 because of her mother's abuse and neglect. more >>>

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Feedback on the article "Aging out"

I think that kids parents should treat their kids right. Janae, age 12, MI.

I think that kids parents should treat their kids right. Janae, age 12, MI.

I also have been in foster care system since the age of 8! I will age out in a cuple of weeks and Im not for sure about going back to my bio mother or family becasue of the way they treated me! I also beleive that I too would not be here today if I was not removed ofrm the family! I have had my many struggles with depression and other diagnoses, and I have overcome many of the obsticles that have been in my path, I am going to college this fall to study to be a socailworker/case worker! I believe I can help other troubled youth that have had same experiences as me! I am reachying out to others to hep them in every way possible! To this day I realize that I am lucky to be alive because if I would have stayed with my bio family with all the neglect and abuse, I probably would of ended up hurting myself in a serious way, thinking it would help me end my pain! Ashling, age 18, KS.