Editor’s Note: For privacy reasons, names and certain details have been changed. These stories are shared by former houseparents who have served at various children’s homes to offer insight, encouragement, and prayer for those considering this role. To respect the privacy of the children in these stories, we use artistic depictions rather than real photos.

The First “Mom”: Jaxson’s Story

written by Mariah Blalock, house parent

Jaxson had been with us for almost seven years. We had a good relationship, but in all that time, he had never called me “Mom.”

At 15 years old, he was learning to drive, and my husband had started picking him up from his job at a fast food restaurant in the evenings. That night was nothing unusual—I had been home busy with our two younger kids, David (10) and Zoey (7), probably exhausted but just going through the motions of the day.

Jaxson sometimes brought home drinks from work, so when my husband woke me up after he had gone to his room, I didn’t think much of it. Then I saw it.

A Diet Mountain Dew sitting quietly on my nightstand.

And across the cup, in black Sharpie, one word:

MOM.

I just stared at it. And then I cried.

It was so simple, but I knew what it meant. It was his way of broaching the subject, of testing the waters, of saying something he had never said before. I didn’t bring it up the next day, but something shifted after that.

He started saying it more openly.

And just like that, I was Mom.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the quiet moments of belonging, for the ways You soften hearts over time. We pray for children like Jaxson, who are learning what it means to trust, to be loved, and to feel safe in a family. Lord, we ask that You bring new house parents to fill the empty homes in children’s ministries across the country—parents willing to be patient, to be steady, and to celebrate the smallest yet most meaningful victories. We pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.