‘It’s like I’m home’: Adoptive mother of 5 saved by Sheboygan’s BabyCare
Dec 23, 2024
Rachel Ehren has two boys of her own 15 and 19 years old. Last year, five more children were added to her family unexpectedly.My whole life changed, she said. I wasnt planning on raising kids for 18 more years. Ehrens younger cousin who she said was like a daughter to her died in childbirth, leaving behind her children, including the twin newborns.That was hard for meto let them call me mom, Ehren said through sobs.The eldest, Paul, has a difficult time grasping the new situation too.Mama come back? he asked while Ehren and I played with the kids on the living room floor. Mama Dominiques never coming back, baby, she responded. Mama Rachels right here.All five children who range from 1-5 years old have some kind of developmental delay, which also means theyre all still in diapers or pull-ups.Its not a challenge of just taking care of them. Its taking care of them and still teaching them to hit the milestones, Ehren explained. Watch: Adoptive mother of 5 saved by Sheboygans BabyCare Its like Im home again: Sheboygan mom thanks nonprofit for life-changing helpShe estimates her family goes through a box of diapers every day.Luckily she has help to offset the cost with BabyCare in Sheboygan.Last year, we gave away 256,000 diapers, noted Executive Director Marge Voigt, whos been running the nonprofit for almost two decades.Theyre meeting a great need in the area with diapers, food, formula, clothes, and other donated items. BabyCare is a referral program, based out of St. Luke United Methodist Church, that allows families to come in 12 times for 100 diapers, and take their pick from the miscellaneous supplies table.On the first visit, theyre also given a basket of clothes.We allow them to take as much as they needno questions asked, Voigt said. We are the kind [of diaper bank] that wants to get to know clients, like Ehren and her family.Shes currently trying to formally adopt the five children.Anything that you can take off my financials in diapersIll take it, Ehren shrugged. As soon as I walk [into BabyCare], its like Im home again.Its about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for TMJ4 on your device.Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip