would you foster?

Question

im realy thinking about fostering have you been a foster carer please help me

Answer 1

I haven't been a foster parent either BUT while I was a teenager my parents did short term foster care, primarily for juvenile delinquents. Over a period of about 5 years we probably had about a dozen or so kids stay with us for anywhere from a week or two to several months. Sometimes they would be with us as an alternative to a detention center while the courts figured out what to do with them. Sometimes if their homes were horrible (most were) they would be with us while the county worked out more permanent placements for them.

We also at one point had three small children (ages 2, 3 and 4) who obviously weren't delinquents but had been removed from a terrible family situation. They stayed with us for quite a while, maybe 6 months or so. That was a challenge for the family BUT they were terribly cute, sweet and loving. They had been bounced around foster homes already several times before they got to us and the middle one kept track of the different "mothers" by remembering them as Mommy Laura, Mommy Helen, etc.

If you can do fostering, you absolutely should. Its a great experience for you and a necessity for many kids. I would encourage you to also consider working the teenage kids with problems in addition to those who are without homes for some other reason. Typically the social service agencies won't place dangerous or violent kids in foster homes - rather they put the kids in foster homes who might not fare as well, or who might be more damaged, by mixing with the more dangerous kids at the detention centers.

My understanding is that across the board there is a need for foster parents, but as always, there is a greater supply of foster parents wanting to work with cute infants than with older kids.

One thing I would say is to please do it for the kids and not for the stipend. Most agencies offer some small stipend. It usually is not going to be sufficient to cover the costs of fostering a kid, but it will help. Some people, especially in cities, seem to foster more for the stipend than the kids and those seem to inevitably be where problems happen. Fostering isn't a money maker. Its a way to help kids who desperately need a roof and someone to care.

Answer 2

If you are thinking of being a foster carer i think you should really go for it
there are so many children in need if i had the time and the space i would do it myself.

And i take my hat off to anybody that opens up there home to a child in need.
I know that some agencies will help you and point you in the right direction.
I found one called Horizon Fostering Services

their is plenty of information on their site to guide you
hope this helps

Answer 3

I would definately consider it in the future, but younger children, not teenagers, they are so much worry if you get children with big problems, you will be always on the phone to the police to report absconsions, you will have to lock up money and valuables, and will not get a break to be by yourself. It is a huge responsibility to take a child into your own time and requires commitment and hard work. Why not contact SS, I'm sure they would be able to put you in touch with experienced foster carers to find out more. Also it is vital you have the full support of all who live in your house before you start

Answer 4

I never have been a foster parent, but I have been a foster child. I would love to be a foster parent. There is a huge need for them and you get to help people. Why not! Go for it!!

Answer 5

no i havent if i was a bit younger i would i think it would bring great rewards to you not to mention the children who you would be looking after go for it and good luck.