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Keep the Doors Open: Lessons Learned from a Year of Foster Parenting
Will You Open Your Heart and Home to Children in Need?
As a teenager, Kristin Berry had heard all the horror stories surrounding foster care and adoption—abuse, neglect, rejection, anger, and misunderstandings. But instead of closing her heart, God opened it wide.
This is Kristin’s honest, unvarnished story of some of her experiences as a foster parent of twenty-three children over the course of nine years.
What she learned is that living in a foster home is like living with a revolving door. You never know who will arrive or who you will have to say goodbye to. Leaving the door open means there will be heartache and pain, but also adventure and unexpected joy. Kristin and her husband, Mike, have been through it all in their unique parenting journey.
If you have ever wondered what it’s really like to be a foster parent, this book will help you gain a true understanding of the everyday trials and triumphs these moms and dads face. It will also inspire you to consider opening your door…and to leave it wide open.
As a teenager, Kristin Berry had heard all the horror stories surrounding foster care and adoption—abuse, neglect, rejection, anger, and misunderstandings. But instead of closing her heart, God opened it wide.
This is Kristin’s honest, unvarnished story of some of her experiences as a foster parent of twenty-three children over the course of nine years.
What she learned is that living in a foster home is like living with a revolving door. You never know who will arrive or who you will have to say goodbye to. Leaving the door open means there will be heartache and pain, but also adventure and unexpected joy. Kristin and her husband, Mike, have been through it all in their unique parenting journey.
If you have ever wondered what it’s really like to be a foster parent, this book will help you gain a true understanding of the everyday trials and triumphs these moms and dads face. It will also inspire you to consider opening your door…and to leave it wide open.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2020
36 people are currently reading
920 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Berry
7 books16 followersKristin Berry is the former foster mom to 22 children, mom of 8 fantastic children, (all of whom are adopted), mother-in-law to two fine young men, and grandmother to the cutest little grand-daughter on earth. She has been married to Mike since college, and together they write and speak for confessionsofanadoptiveparent.com a ministry they started after two of their sons were diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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July 31, 2020I'm not giving this book a rating because I don't feel like someone's experience with foster care should be rated.
I bought this book because we just became certified foster parents and I've been reading as many resources as I can to understand what the experience is like. This book is very small, so I was upset that there wasn't more info, but most of the information was helpful - some things I already knew, and some I learned from the book. I would recommend getting this book from the library or borrowing it from someone, instead of buying it.
I did find the stories very interesting and I was shocked at how crazy just this one year of fostering was for the author. I know not all stories will be similar, but it was good for me to keep my mind open with how hard foster care can be.
I bought this book because we just became certified foster parents and I've been reading as many resources as I can to understand what the experience is like. This book is very small, so I was upset that there wasn't more info, but most of the information was helpful - some things I already knew, and some I learned from the book. I would recommend getting this book from the library or borrowing it from someone, instead of buying it.
I did find the stories very interesting and I was shocked at how crazy just this one year of fostering was for the author. I know not all stories will be similar, but it was good for me to keep my mind open with how hard foster care can be.
February 20, 2020
I was challenged reading this book. Kristin Berry tells the story of the year her family committed to saying yes to any foster children that needed a home. For the last fourteen years, I’ve felt called to do *something* for foster care children, whether it be hosting them or serving as an advocate or volunteering in some other capacity. I realized in the pages of this book that what’s held me back from getting involved is my own selfishness. The word inconvenience doesn’t come close to comparing to what this family lovingly and deliberately endured in the service of other people’s children. Children in various levels of brokenness were dropped off at her house with sometimes no more than a half hour’s notice. Cleaning up vomit, treating for lice, being woken up in the middle of the night—that’s all extremely taxing even when it’s for your own children. They did that for others’ children without much thanks from the children, the children’s parents, the social workers, or the entire foster care system. I’m so glad I read this book because I feel like it’s a part of “counting the cost” (Luke 14:28-30) and I learned that yes, great sacrifice is required but it’s not really about me and my sacrifice—it’s really about children in devastating, heartbreaking need. If we don’t help them, who will? Thank you Kristin Berry for telling your story with so much detail and for doing this important work!
May 27, 2024
As a fellow foster and adoptive mother, this book touched every part of me. I laughed, cried, and said "yes I agree". Kristin nailed it right on the head of all the emotions and thoughts that you go through in this kind of life. This is a must read book!
May 2, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is a beautiful, heartfelt and honest book from a foster family that have fostered 23 children and been through ups, downs and everything in between. This book made me laugh and cry and hug my own daughter tight. Foster parents are such wonderful people when they do it for the children, and this book shows this family are amazingly dedicated and have so much to give the children placed into their care. The world needs more people like this in it. Thank you for sharing such a heart on your sleeve story with us, I really hope this book helps people thinking of fostering in the future, I definitely recommend you read this if you do have thoughts of becoming a foster parent.
This is a beautiful, heartfelt and honest book from a foster family that have fostered 23 children and been through ups, downs and everything in between. This book made me laugh and cry and hug my own daughter tight. Foster parents are such wonderful people when they do it for the children, and this book shows this family are amazingly dedicated and have so much to give the children placed into their care. The world needs more people like this in it. Thank you for sharing such a heart on your sleeve story with us, I really hope this book helps people thinking of fostering in the future, I definitely recommend you read this if you do have thoughts of becoming a foster parent.
July 20, 2021
Kristen Berry reflects on an tumultuous year of foster parenting in this informative read. She, her husband, and kids are beautifully vulnerable and caring. This family lives the Christian way, which guides and keeps them thoughtful and ever-kind.
The reality of fostering is numbing. Berry deals with an unresponsive, time consuming bureaucracy. She weathers unwarranted criticism and lack of financial support. She gallantly responds to nighttime emergency placement calls with scant information, upending her life. She gives everything she has to make each child feel welcome and facilitate reunification with parents.
Berry has a huge heart, which gets repeatedly crushed when kids she’s helped are unexpectedly re-homed with no warning, placed with grudging relatives. Yet she continues to embrace whole families, assisting parents just as much as kids.
Reading about this super-mom, I felt inadequate as a parent and community member often. She’s so capable and always on call. My respect and admiration goes to her and others with this calling.
The reality of fostering is numbing. Berry deals with an unresponsive, time consuming bureaucracy. She weathers unwarranted criticism and lack of financial support. She gallantly responds to nighttime emergency placement calls with scant information, upending her life. She gives everything she has to make each child feel welcome and facilitate reunification with parents.
Berry has a huge heart, which gets repeatedly crushed when kids she’s helped are unexpectedly re-homed with no warning, placed with grudging relatives. Yet she continues to embrace whole families, assisting parents just as much as kids.
Reading about this super-mom, I felt inadequate as a parent and community member often. She’s so capable and always on call. My respect and admiration goes to her and others with this calling.
September 6, 2023
My partner and I are just a few days away from finishing the licensure process to become foster / adoptive parents and I’ve been reading about people’s experiences and watching videos on YouTube to try to find a sense of calm about the uncertainty of all of it. On one hand, this book was scary in a lot of ways. But in a bigger way, it was so incredibly beautiful. I hope that as future parent figures, we can be as open and ready to love as this author and her husband. It’s hard to wrap my head around what a life changing experience this will be. Aside from this, I was really inspired by how resourceful they are as parents (I hope I’ll catch onto this quickly) and the way that they advocated and helped their foster children’s biological parents. I loved and appreciated every moment of reading this book.
Five stars
🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪
Five stars
🚪🚪🚪🚪🚪
October 14, 2024
Not quite what I expected. I think I thought there would be more information and insight into the foster care system whereas this was more of just a storytelling of one family’s experience. My only criticism is that it felt like the author input really mundane sections that were not relevant to foster car, that were just every day parenting her children. I also feel like she maybe painted Foster care and parenting too picture perfect and easy. So much of it was these happy moments as a full family, and more the annoying parts of the system, where I have found that the hard element are interlaced in so many aspects of foster care and continue to change and develope. Outside of those things, I did feel like this was a good picture of what multiple different kinds of cases could look like and some of the many hurdles that families run across.
February 25, 2025
I personally feel like this book did not deliver on its title of "lessons learned from a year of foster parenting." There was not much reflection on how the fostering experiences shared in the book shaped/changed the author, or practical advice for new or prospective foster parents. Although I enjoyed reading the firsthand account of a foster parent and getting a glimpse of just how different each child and situation is, the book was filled with unnecessary, irrelevant details that did not contribute to the story at all.
The ending also felt very abrupt, again with little to no reflection, encouragement, etc. An interesting, quick read but not what I was expecting.
The ending also felt very abrupt, again with little to no reflection, encouragement, etc. An interesting, quick read but not what I was expecting.
July 13, 2020
Foster parents have always inspired and awed me. In fact I have had several friends who have fostered children, some even adopted afterwards. So I'm somewhat familiar with the system and the process and the emotional toll it takes on a person and a family. Therefore this book was a no-brainer. I had to read it.
It is the true story of a family who determines that they will keep the doors open to any foster child in need of a home for an entire year. And what a trying year that became.
Most of the writing was written in such a way as though the reader already knows and understands the foster system. I know some, but there were parts that were entirely new to me and I wish the author would have explained more of the process they had to go through. Maybe she thought it would be boring, but I feel like it could have been done in a simplified way while also being interesting. But that's just me.
Each story with each child was so different, as it would be in reality, but I didn't feel like the author got her flow until about halfway through the book. One story in particular, turned the emotional spectrum for me. At first I felt like she was keeping her emotional distance from the story, but then I realized that this year of fostering actually happened a while ago in her life. So then I just felt like the writing was emotionally stunted. But then it all shifted with one of the foster children, and from then on I felt her motherly emotions surfacing. Her descriptions flourished and I really felt her pain as well as her love.
The story itself was beautiful of course. Although I felt like the end just sort of ended. There didn't seem to be any resolution, anything letting me as the reader know what they determined to kept doing after the year was up. But then I found in the about the author that the family now has 8 adopted children...when they only had 3 in the book....which led to more wishing for more of a conclusion.
All in all, this was a beautiful book about fostering and why there is such a need for foster parents and a heart for these families. I loved that they were all about family reconciliation and focused as much on helping the parents as the children. It was beautiful.
>>Thank you to the publisher for a review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
It is the true story of a family who determines that they will keep the doors open to any foster child in need of a home for an entire year. And what a trying year that became.
Most of the writing was written in such a way as though the reader already knows and understands the foster system. I know some, but there were parts that were entirely new to me and I wish the author would have explained more of the process they had to go through. Maybe she thought it would be boring, but I feel like it could have been done in a simplified way while also being interesting. But that's just me.
Each story with each child was so different, as it would be in reality, but I didn't feel like the author got her flow until about halfway through the book. One story in particular, turned the emotional spectrum for me. At first I felt like she was keeping her emotional distance from the story, but then I realized that this year of fostering actually happened a while ago in her life. So then I just felt like the writing was emotionally stunted. But then it all shifted with one of the foster children, and from then on I felt her motherly emotions surfacing. Her descriptions flourished and I really felt her pain as well as her love.
The story itself was beautiful of course. Although I felt like the end just sort of ended. There didn't seem to be any resolution, anything letting me as the reader know what they determined to kept doing after the year was up. But then I found in the about the author that the family now has 8 adopted children...when they only had 3 in the book....which led to more wishing for more of a conclusion.
All in all, this was a beautiful book about fostering and why there is such a need for foster parents and a heart for these families. I loved that they were all about family reconciliation and focused as much on helping the parents as the children. It was beautiful.
>>Thank you to the publisher for a review copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
October 1, 2020
What is it really like to foster? What is it like to integrate strangers into your family's life? What are caseworkers like? What is it like to interact with the kids' families and work towards reunification?
Kristin Berry gives us a glimpse into her world by sharing a year in her family's journey as a foster family.
Though I am not yet in a position to foster or adopt, I've wanted to since age eight and have read widely on the topic. I appreciated Kristin's honest, compassionate perspective in this book. For readers who are considering involvement in foster care, I think this book provides a balanced perspective on the joys and struggles.
I'm looking forward to reading some of the Berry's other books as well.
Kristin Berry gives us a glimpse into her world by sharing a year in her family's journey as a foster family.
Though I am not yet in a position to foster or adopt, I've wanted to since age eight and have read widely on the topic. I appreciated Kristin's honest, compassionate perspective in this book. For readers who are considering involvement in foster care, I think this book provides a balanced perspective on the joys and struggles.
I'm looking forward to reading some of the Berry's other books as well.
February 23, 2025
Everyone should read this
As our family moves into its 4th official year of licensing as a foster family, I picked up this book as a I love to read experiences from other moms. No experience is the same. Just like no human or child is the same. I recommend this read.
As our family moves into its 4th official year of licensing as a foster family, I picked up this book as a I love to read experiences from other moms. No experience is the same. Just like no human or child is the same. I recommend this read.
October 31, 2023
This book was truly a gift. It warmed my heart while also breaking it. As my husband and I finished the process of licensing to become foster parents last week this was the perfect time to pick up this book. We can’t wait to keep the doors open for many kids over however long we can.
June 6, 2020
As a foster parent, I was excited to read this memoir about another foster family. I found myself laughing and crying with the author all the way through the book. It was a great read that left you hopeful that entering the crazy world of foster care is worth it. The kids & their families are 100% worth it.
December 20, 2019
I am a former foster parent who adopted three children from fostercare. I so wish I had this book to read when I was right in the thick of it. Especially dealing with the bio parents and also the medical community. I just can't believe how hard it can be for foster parents to get help from the medical community at times and, frankly, I have lost it when dealing with them. Yet when you see how Kristin handled various situations that involved doctors, well.... she just seems to have a way with advocating for her children and yet still coming across as so credible and believable. And the same goes with her relationship with the bio parents. The Department of Children and Families wants us, as foster parents, to embrace the entire family. And you know what? This is exactly what she did! You will find yourself falling in love, not only with the children but with the parents too! I think every new and seasoned foster parents should read this book because it really gives us a picture of what true healing can look like when we do our best to fill the role we have taken on. I would definitely keep this book as a guide in your fostercare journey.
March 16, 2022
This book focuses too much on the author's religious viewpoint about fostering than the actual act of being a foster parent. Didn't learn anything.
January 7, 2020
The book "Keep the Doors Open: Lessons Learned from a Year of Foster Parenting" by Kristin Berry was one I couldn't put down as the author's storytelling and heart-sharing pulled me in immediately.
Author Kristin Berry shares her family's "why" in serving as a foster family in her area and then walks through a full year of what that journey looked like and felt like for them, keeping their doors open. She authentically details the highs with the lows, the challenges and heart breaks, as well as the small victories along the way. And while the story is written from her personal experience and perspective, she does a great job of sharing the perspectives of her husband and children along the way.
This book spoke to my heart because of our family's foster-to-adopt journey and at times I was nodding right along with the author. But this book is really a great read for anyone, especially those with any interactions with the foster care system (foster parent, friends of foster families, teacher, medical or other professionals who work with foster families on occasion, etc). It provides a unique perspective to those who haven't walked a foster care journey, insight to those considering or exploring foster care, and affirmation to those who have been or currently are foster families. Plus many of the lessons described by the author can be applied to other ministries or walks of life, asking for help, loving others, serving as a family and so much more.
But be warned, you will get to the end of her one year journey and want to know what happened next :)
*I was given an early release copy of this book as part of the launch team. My review and my words are my own.
Author Kristin Berry shares her family's "why" in serving as a foster family in her area and then walks through a full year of what that journey looked like and felt like for them, keeping their doors open. She authentically details the highs with the lows, the challenges and heart breaks, as well as the small victories along the way. And while the story is written from her personal experience and perspective, she does a great job of sharing the perspectives of her husband and children along the way.
This book spoke to my heart because of our family's foster-to-adopt journey and at times I was nodding right along with the author. But this book is really a great read for anyone, especially those with any interactions with the foster care system (foster parent, friends of foster families, teacher, medical or other professionals who work with foster families on occasion, etc). It provides a unique perspective to those who haven't walked a foster care journey, insight to those considering or exploring foster care, and affirmation to those who have been or currently are foster families. Plus many of the lessons described by the author can be applied to other ministries or walks of life, asking for help, loving others, serving as a family and so much more.
But be warned, you will get to the end of her one year journey and want to know what happened next :)
*I was given an early release copy of this book as part of the launch team. My review and my words are my own.
October 26, 2024
So, we are in the process of becoming foster parents again. We were foster parents in the past when we were much, much younger! I wanted to read this book because it seemed like a good way to sort of get back into the mindset. I will say, that her experiences are so completely different than what we experienced in the past. This is likely due to the states/counties and their rules. I was so surprised to read just how much she had to do as a foster parent as far as interactions with the birth parents. Strange to see that some needs weren't being met by the agency/state for the parents. They even had visits at her actual home!
One of the things I really enjoyed was how she and her husband worked together with the kids. She didn't have all the answers and would defer to her husband. He didn't know everything and would leave it up to her. I felt like that was a nice and realistic balance. I would have been a little skeptical had she known the answers to everything. It is a toss-up when it comes to fostering. Having kids removed when you think they're going to be there for a long time is a very true thing. We have had it happen a few times.
I liked this book but I felt like it was too short. There were also points where there was so much detail that I thought that it would lead to a big moment, when the opposite was true. And then other times there was a small amount of detail. This is very likely due to it being based on memory and experiences. I just wanted more. I am glad that I read it though!
One of the things I really enjoyed was how she and her husband worked together with the kids. She didn't have all the answers and would defer to her husband. He didn't know everything and would leave it up to her. I felt like that was a nice and realistic balance. I would have been a little skeptical had she known the answers to everything. It is a toss-up when it comes to fostering. Having kids removed when you think they're going to be there for a long time is a very true thing. We have had it happen a few times.
I liked this book but I felt like it was too short. There were also points where there was so much detail that I thought that it would lead to a big moment, when the opposite was true. And then other times there was a small amount of detail. This is very likely due to it being based on memory and experiences. I just wanted more. I am glad that I read it though!
March 6, 2023
I don't know why I waited so long to read this book. Once I started it, I flew through it in a few hours. Heartbreaking and hopeful all mixed up together, this is the story of year of foster parenting. The story of two little children whose parents simply couldn't understand how to care for their children, not that they didn't deeply desire to, but an overzealous pediatrician didn't take the time to understand everything before jumping to conclusions. The story of two teenagers whose lives were broken open because of their mother's poor choices. The stories of trauma that the Berry's adopted children continued to go through as they wrestled with the trauma of their early life. So much heart break in the world and yet to see one family bravely step up to the plate and say yes and yes and yes again brings hope to this sin-torn world.
I wonder why it took me this long to read the book and yet I think the timing was perfect for me as I am watching a really good friend of mine and her family step into fostering after adoption and watch and listen as they battle some of these same things. It helps to bring perspective to what they are going through to read about other stories and I hope it helps me know a little more how to care.
I received this book from Harvest House via NetGalley and was not required to give a positive review. But I would totally recommend picking up this book and reading it for yourself.
I wonder why it took me this long to read the book and yet I think the timing was perfect for me as I am watching a really good friend of mine and her family step into fostering after adoption and watch and listen as they battle some of these same things. It helps to bring perspective to what they are going through to read about other stories and I hope it helps me know a little more how to care.
I received this book from Harvest House via NetGalley and was not required to give a positive review. But I would totally recommend picking up this book and reading it for yourself.
December 14, 2019
This is a truly beautiful book, following Kristin Berry and her family through a year of adventures in fostering. Fostering is something I would love to pursue in the future, so I always knew I would enjoy this one. But I loved the fact that Kristin shared both the good and the bad, not giving a one sided perspective but instead showing the heartbreaking beauty of the world of fostering.
My only critique would be that there is a rather blunt ending - what happens next?! I personally would have loved an epilogue, just to wrap a few details. Like with regards to Manny and Angel: Kristin says at the end of their section that she wouldn’t see them again for 10 years. I would have loved an epilogue just to tell us what happened with them, and any of the other foster children who they stayed in the lives of. Plus, the authors bio at the end says Kristin and Mike have 8 children - how did they get from 3 to 8?! I just became so engrossed in the story, I desperately wanted to know what came next. I really hope Kristin continues to share her stories, and I would be first in line to pick up the next book!
My only critique would be that there is a rather blunt ending - what happens next?! I personally would have loved an epilogue, just to wrap a few details. Like with regards to Manny and Angel: Kristin says at the end of their section that she wouldn’t see them again for 10 years. I would have loved an epilogue just to tell us what happened with them, and any of the other foster children who they stayed in the lives of. Plus, the authors bio at the end says Kristin and Mike have 8 children - how did they get from 3 to 8?! I just became so engrossed in the story, I desperately wanted to know what came next. I really hope Kristin continues to share her stories, and I would be first in line to pick up the next book!
June 1, 2023
Read: May 2023
Format: Paperback (library)
Genre: Adult Memoir
It should be noted that this is first and foremost a memoir of a specific year of a foster mother's life (not her whole foster experience), and details her experiences and emotions of the time without offering much if any actual advice about foster parenting. As that's what I basically came to the book for, I disappointingly found little on offer. That said, reading about foster parent experiences has been very helpful in its own way for me: preparation for what I might (probably will) have to deal with (children, workers, parents) so I won't be blindsided by the wearying reality of it all. Granted I felt the style here was too heavy on unnecessary details, and it ended too abruptly for me with almost no reflection, but it was an easy and vaguely informative read that kept me reading, and I burned through it in only a few days. And I will definitely be picking up more of her and her husband's more practical books soon.
Format: Paperback (library)
Genre: Adult Memoir
It should be noted that this is first and foremost a memoir of a specific year of a foster mother's life (not her whole foster experience), and details her experiences and emotions of the time without offering much if any actual advice about foster parenting. As that's what I basically came to the book for, I disappointingly found little on offer. That said, reading about foster parent experiences has been very helpful in its own way for me: preparation for what I might (probably will) have to deal with (children, workers, parents) so I won't be blindsided by the wearying reality of it all. Granted I felt the style here was too heavy on unnecessary details, and it ended too abruptly for me with almost no reflection, but it was an easy and vaguely informative read that kept me reading, and I burned through it in only a few days. And I will definitely be picking up more of her and her husband's more practical books soon.
January 7, 2020
If foster care has ever knocked on your heart, even a little, I would encourage you to grab this book! Whether you support a foster family, are a foster family, are in the process of becoming one or are just beginning to feel that tug, this is a MUST-read!
Once I began reading Leave The Doors Open, I could not stop. You will absolutely LOVE the easy and entertaining read. Through witty, humor-filled and captivating storytelling, Kristin Berry shares about her family's experience through one year of fostering. You will discover the real stories and raw emotions foster parents and foster children experience.
Having a sense of camaraderie with fellow foster parents will encourage you, and gaining some insight from an outsider's perspective will help you to better support the foster parents you know in your life. This book is just as incredible as the Berry’s other resources, and is one that I recommend for every current or prospective foster parent.
Once I began reading Leave The Doors Open, I could not stop. You will absolutely LOVE the easy and entertaining read. Through witty, humor-filled and captivating storytelling, Kristin Berry shares about her family's experience through one year of fostering. You will discover the real stories and raw emotions foster parents and foster children experience.
Having a sense of camaraderie with fellow foster parents will encourage you, and gaining some insight from an outsider's perspective will help you to better support the foster parents you know in your life. This book is just as incredible as the Berry’s other resources, and is one that I recommend for every current or prospective foster parent.
November 11, 2025
Reading almost like fiction, Keep the Doors Open is a captivating and beautifully honest story not just for those fostering/considering fostering. Real and full of love, tear-jerking and humorous, this book is a challenging inspiration to moms, families… anyone who needs an encouragement to love out loud and to not give up… to trust God’s perfect plan above our fear of letting people in… and letting them go.
It’s a true look in on the heart wrenching situations and frustrations of the system in foster care… Kristin Berry in an incredible woman… and points us in this book, to an Incredible God.
It’s a true look in on the heart wrenching situations and frustrations of the system in foster care… Kristin Berry in an incredible woman… and points us in this book, to an Incredible God.
December 27, 2019
This last year, we had friends who fostered some children (and are continuing to do so) and my heart started opening to the fact that I might want to foster. Then I came upon this book and got so excited. I stayed up late last night reading through it and am so impressed by Kristin's heart for the foster care world. These children so need homes and I'm excited to think we might start our journey soon. I love her gentle honesty and I'm grateful to know the ups and downs that come with fostering. Thanks for writing this book!
January 7, 2020
Kristin Berry knew from a young age that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of children who needed a loving home and family. She and her husband adopted a baby and then embarked on a year of taking on the role of foster parenting. Reading her memoir was like sitting down and talking to a friend or neighbor. She reveals both the highs and lows of the fostering experience. I greatly admire those who give so much of themselves in this role. Thank you to NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review Keep the Doors Open.
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January 7, 2020Have you ever wondered what the life of a foster family might be like? Why keep going?
Keeping the Doors Open” tells what happened when a family decided to say “Yes” to keeping the doors of their home open for one more year.
It tells the stories of children that joined their family for a short period of time over a year. The situations are heart breaking. It shows the difference a caring and stable family can make to a child in a vulnerable situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was an easy read and hard to put down.
Another excellent book by Kristin.
Keeping the Doors Open” tells what happened when a family decided to say “Yes” to keeping the doors of their home open for one more year.
It tells the stories of children that joined their family for a short period of time over a year. The situations are heart breaking. It shows the difference a caring and stable family can make to a child in a vulnerable situation.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It was an easy read and hard to put down.
Another excellent book by Kristin.
January 9, 2020
Foster care is a unique experience, yet also there are so many shared similarities. If you're wanting to dip your toes in or jump in with a big splash, this book is for you! It explores so many of the specifics that go with fostering but your case worker might forget to mention. Kristin Berry is a talented writer and has such a beautiful way of sharing her heart as her husband and her opened their lives and home to many kids. You will laugh and cry as you read this book- most likely laughing because you already are a foster parent and totally can relate to some of the stories! :)
November 17, 2019
I received this book for free from NetGalley.
Kristin and Mike decide to Foster for a year, this is their memoir of that time and the children they looked after.
I cried a few times. It's heartbreaking to read about the Foster system and how the children can be an afterthought. I really empathised with Kristin and her family.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, its well written and honest. It would be a good read for anyone considering fostering or adoption.
Kristin and Mike decide to Foster for a year, this is their memoir of that time and the children they looked after.
I cried a few times. It's heartbreaking to read about the Foster system and how the children can be an afterthought. I really empathised with Kristin and her family.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, its well written and honest. It would be a good read for anyone considering fostering or adoption.
December 20, 2019
I am a foster/adoptive parent who has been in the world of child welfare for 9 years. Kristin's new book was hard to put down. She is a great storyteller who captures your attention. Her family's interactions with workers, birth parents, and children has me thinking, "Me too!" This book is for anyone. For those in the trenches who need to know they are not alone, and for those who want to learn what it feels like to keep your doors open. Saying yes is hard, but it is always worth it!
December 21, 2019
I received an advanced reader copy and was glad I did! This book is amazing! It will make you laugh and cry. It will bring you to high places and back down! This roller coaster of a year in the foster care system and look at different cases can really help you see into the lives of the foster system, foster parents, a glimpse at birth parents and how working together can be beneficial for all involved! It also shows how to love foster kids deeply, but also loving their first family well!
January 19, 2020
This is a book anyone considering fostering should read. She shares in such a real and grace filled way. I had read her husband’s book on adoption and was confused at why they continued to foster after adopting kids with such high needs. This shows the beginning of their story, when they had only 3 adoptive kids who were younger and how their family’s call to this ministry came about.
I was engaged and connected to her writing throughout. The book left me wanting more.
I was engaged and connected to her writing throughout. The book left me wanting more.
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