Methodist Children’s Home is a non-profit childcare ministry affiliated with the seven United Methodist Annual Conferences of Texas and New Mexico. The agency provides basic and structured care for approximately 180 children on its main campus in Waco, and serves up to 50 young boys, ages 12-18, at the Boys Ranch, located ten miles northeast of Waco. The Harrisons and the Kettlers have served as home parents in both locations.

Back in 1994, the Kettlers applied for positions, and started working at the Boys Ranch. A year later, they sold their home and bought their first RV. Now four RVs later, they picture themselves never owning a house again. Like the Harrisons and other full-time home parents, they currently live round-the-clock in home units on the Waco campus for eight days, followed by four days off.

Serving as home parents at the Boys Ranch for five years, Johnny supervised work crews of three to five boys in after-school chores such as mowing, hauling trash, or working with animals. In the afternoons, Alta often transported boys to medical clinics or picked up mail in town.

Although retired from construction work and food services, respectively, Clark and Carol sought employment at the Methodist Children’s Home. “Our qualifications were raising our own three children—and taking in three others,” Clark says. “We thought we knew it all, and all problems could be solved with love and a hug.

“Methodist Children’s Home is a place for children to grow, but it’s also a place for home parents to grow,” he continues. “Hugs and love are necessary, but we could live three lifetimes and not go through what some of these youngsters have already experienced.”

He admits that the intensive training provided by the Home and the experience of serving as 24-hour live-in home parents for the past 13 years changed his thinking. “What I see as normal may not be normal for the kids coming to us,” he says. “For example, in the Texas town where I grew up, racism was an accepted part of life. At the Children’s Home, we have kids from every background and race. I’ve learned to see the individual.”

“One girl looked me in the eye and asked, ‘Do you think we’re here because we’re a bunch of Girl Scouts?’”

Taken by surprise, Clark burst out laughing and diffused the situation. Yet, the child’s answer pointed to the fact that each one is there for a reason. Some were into drugs, experiencing behavior problems, running with the wrong crowd, or needing refuge from a family in crisis. Others experienced abuse or neglect. “Some of these kids have never known the stability of guaranteed meals,” he adds. “We spot them first in line for food.”

From well-stocked pantries, one cook prepares the meals for every two home units at the Waco campus. Home parents cook breakfast and make snacks daily. At the Boys Ranch, meals are served in a central dining room.

Regular home parents have a private bedroom in the units that house eight to 12 children. A separate bedroom accommodates the relief home parents.

At the Waco campus, the Harrisons’ unit is a residence for girls. The Kettlers live with a houseful of boys. Their days start at 6:00 and the home parents serve breakfast at 6:45. “We begin with a devotional and a blessing,” Johnny says. “After breakfast, the boys in our unit clean up the kitchen and do bedroom chores before they are off to school at 7:45.”

Home parents have some free time during the day. The kids who attend school on campus return about 3:00. The ones who attend public school come in around 4:15. In the evenings, different activities and study times are scheduled. The recreation staff usually supervises the kids at the campus activities, although Johnny often accompanies his boys to ball games.

On their days off, the Kettlers retreat to their fifth-wheel parked at their property along the Colorado River in Smithville, Texas. The Harrisons keep their fifth-wheel hooked to electricity in a special parking lot provided by the Home for employees’ RVs and boats. They pay a nominal cost of $10 per month for the convenience.

Laura Slonaker, Human Resources Representative states that home parents are paid a daily rate, which totals $18,000 to $21,100 per year per individual. “While on duty, they have no expenses because they live in our homes with meals provided,” she says. “Full-time home parents receive additional benefits such as health insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, 20 vacation days after one year of service, sick time accrual, and a volunteer retirement plan.”

“Despite the disappointment in some kids’ progress and adjustment, most home parents have scrapbooks and albums filled with letters and photos of former residents who have become their extended family,” Clark says. “Sometimes, the ones we think will not make it in the world are the ones who call and ask if we’ll be adoptive grandparents for their children.”

In working with children, home parents must utilize a Christian approach, which includes a high tolerance for frustration, and a good measure of understanding, firmness, relationship building skills, positive role model qualities, and communication skills. A healthy value system, including moral and ethical behavior consistent with those of the Methodist Children’s Home, is also required.

“Biting one’s tongue is essential to the job, and for many of us in our sixth decade, forgetting about traditions in the 1950s is a must,” Clark says. “We’ve learned new techniques of meeting our discipline work, and the guidelines change daily. Yes, the job is stressful. These kids often have huge issues in their lives. But our rewards come in a smile, a thank you, or a hug.”

Home parents occasionally drive children to activities in the community, thus making a valid Texas Driver’s License necessary. On occasion, the home parents plan trips and events for the children in their units. They note a child’s particular interest, such as fishing, and try to incorporate those activities into special times.

The Kettlers believe that home parenting is the perfect job for retirement age people who have a passion for children. “We have ample opportunities to travel, and we appreciate our time together,” Alta says. “One of our best memories goes back to working at the Boys Ranch. Six home parent couples coordinated their time off. We took our RVs to Lake Whitney State Park for the weekend.

The ability to do things like this makes Workamping so appealing.” Carol and Clark agree. “We like the freedom to hook up and go on our days off,” Clark says. “We throw a steak on our grill, pour a Coke over ice, and marvel at the richness of our lives!”