Jen Lilley Opens up About Being a Foster Parent: “There Is No Greater Work”

May is National Foster Care Month, and actress Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Maxie, GENERAL HOSPITAL) is speaking out about the little boy that she and husband Jason Wayne began fostering back in October of 2016!

“Fostering is the most worthwhile and selfless act of love you can ever imagine,” Lilly told Upstate Parent. “Yes, they’ll change your whole life, and it won’t be convenient — is parenting ever convenient? — but your love will have a ripple effect for generations.”

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Lilly wanted to become a foster parent because she believes these children deserve better than what the system sometimes provides. “Children who grow up in broken foster homes often commit crimes in hopes of going to jail simply because at least in jail they’ll have shelter, a bed, and food,” she admitted. “A great foster parent can end the cycle of abuse and neglect, and impact not just the foster child’s life, but also that child’s future children’s lives. It’s the best return on an investment I’ve ever witnessed.”

A self-confessed workaholic, Lilly admitted that having a foster child has caused her to reprioritize the projects in which she invests her time. “Because every job takes me away from them,” she confessed. “I get how important work is, however, I think most parents would agree that there is no greater work than parenting.”

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Lilly finds joy in everything about her foster son, even the little things. “My husband taught him to yell ‘Ah!’ and shake his head to and fro while screaming,” she revealed. “He thinks it’s hilarious and now does it non-stop. Especially when he’s in his high chair and I’m trying to feed him.

“He’s also obsessed with the song ‘Barbara Ann’ by the Beach Boys,” the proud mom adds. “Plus, his favorite food since he was nine months old is Indian Chicken Saag. I mean, what? He’s such an odd baby — I love him!”

See the loving family that welcomed this little baby boy into their lives by checking out Lilly and her husband’s most beautiful moments in the special gallery below!

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