To any pro-choice activist who insists a child is too inconvenient and difficult to raise -- don’t tell that to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. Last week, Bachmann went on Family Life radio to share her experience in raising not only five biological children, but 23 foster children.
Speaking in front of Family Life’s record large audience of over 2,400 people on Monday, Bachmann shared her moving story of being a foster parent. After giving birth to two children, Bachmann explained, her and her husband Marcus suffered a miscarriage. The congresswoman tried to describe the unexpected heartbreak of losing what would have been her third child.
“I didn’t speak for three days afterward.”
Bachmann, however, went on to have two more children and, as she was expecting her fifth, felt moved to welcome foster children into her home. She described her initial uncertainty.
“We were scared to death. You usually have nine months to prepare for something like this, but we suddenly had two teenage daughters. We had to increase the size of our kitchen!”
Soon after realizing the joy of caring for two new daughters, she and her husband decided to open their home to almost two dozen more foster kids. This, all while Bachmann took care of her other maternal duties.
“I was homeschooling and expecting a newborn. I was about out of my mind.”
In what was perhaps her most challenging moment as both a parent and foster parent, Bachmann described how one of her foster children ran away while she was in the hospital giving birth to her fifth biological child.
“She thought we wouldn’t love her anymore. But, we were able to have her come back down. She saw that we could add to the family, and it wouldn’t diminish our love for her.”
Even with all the challenges fostering carried, the brave congresswoman wouldn’t change a thing.
“Our foster children—I can’t thank enough—because they prepared Marcus and me to be even better parents for our biological children when our biological children came through. Our kids all know the Lord; they walk with the Lord. As far as we’re concerned, that’s the greatest legacy we will ever have. We are happy people, very happy.”
Because of the positive impact the non-biological children had on her life, Bachmann encourages other parents to open their homes to foster kids.
“Imagine the life you can touch. Give them a picture of normal-functioning life.”
Foster care is an additional blessing because -- like adoption -- it is an ideal alternative to abortion, as explained by birthmothers.org. Instead of ending an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, a mother can graciously give her child to a loving family like the Bachmanns so he or she can still experience the miracle and joy of life.
Bachmann, a former orphan herself, perhaps understands more than most what she says is the importance of allowing children to experience a “normal” home life -- even if it’s just for one year.
“I didn’t speak for three days afterward.”
Bachmann, however, went on to have two more children and, as she was expecting her fifth, felt moved to welcome foster children into her home. She described her initial uncertainty.
“We were scared to death. You usually have nine months to prepare for something like this, but we suddenly had two teenage daughters. We had to increase the size of our kitchen!”
Soon after realizing the joy of caring for two new daughters, she and her husband decided to open their home to almost two dozen more foster kids. This, all while Bachmann took care of her other maternal duties.
“I was homeschooling and expecting a newborn. I was about out of my mind.”
In what was perhaps her most challenging moment as both a parent and foster parent, Bachmann described how one of her foster children ran away while she was in the hospital giving birth to her fifth biological child.
“She thought we wouldn’t love her anymore. But, we were able to have her come back down. She saw that we could add to the family, and it wouldn’t diminish our love for her.”
If only pro-choice advocates could understand this concept. What Bachmann’s incredible fostering proves is that the more children there is, the more love there is.
Even with all the challenges fostering carried, the brave congresswoman wouldn’t change a thing.
“Our foster children—I can’t thank enough—because they prepared Marcus and me to be even better parents for our biological children when our biological children came through. Our kids all know the Lord; they walk with the Lord. As far as we’re concerned, that’s the greatest legacy we will ever have. We are happy people, very happy.”
Because of the positive impact the non-biological children had on her life, Bachmann encourages other parents to open their homes to foster kids.
“Imagine the life you can touch. Give them a picture of normal-functioning life.”
Foster care is an additional blessing because -- like adoption -- it is an ideal alternative to abortion, as explained by birthmothers.org. Instead of ending an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, a mother can graciously give her child to a loving family like the Bachmanns so he or she can still experience the miracle and joy of life.
Bachmann, a former orphan herself, perhaps understands more than most what she says is the importance of allowing children to experience a “normal” home life -- even if it’s just for one year.
“Kids just need to know one person is crazy about them.”
For Bachmann, she selflessly provided that love and comfort 23 times. What an encouraging pro-life message for any unsure parent.