Foster care is an amazing thing to be a part of. If you are looking for a way to help someone and you have a love for children then you might want to consider foster care.
The benefits and blessings of foster care far outweigh the sacrifices. Be sure, however, that you are well aware of the sacrifices that investing in foster care will mean for you and your family. It will require time, money, energy, love, and commitment. And don’t be fooled – foster care (as with becoming a parent for the first time) will likely require much more than you could even calculate now.
A local Waiuku Foster Carer (who can not be named) says
“when a child receives love from someone that has never known them, they can begin to feel that it is okay to love again and that not everyone is out to get them.
The feelings of being wanted, for some children, can be the hardest thing to find. They may have been repeatedly rejected and hurt by their biological families, and may never be able to express their feelings appropriately. But by caring for a young child, it is less likely to be a problem for them later on… if only they experienced the love of someone who chose to care for them.”
Allow yourself to think about all of the great things that come from foster care. First and foremost, think about the lives of the children that are in need of loving and solid homes to spend time in. Can you imagine being a child without a safe place to call home? There is perhaps nothing greater than giving up part of your home and your energy to help a child or children who are in need. What a blessing for a child to be in foster care and placed in a home filled with fun and encouragement.
Carers have a diverse range of experience and background but one thing they all have in common is a passion for providing a safe and loving home for the children and young people who need them.
You could make a great foster or adoptive parent if you:
• Can commit wholeheartedly to caring for a child who needs you
• Have a stable home life
• Are willing to accept the child and help them develop their potential
• Can persevere and be patient
• Can work with the child’s family
Participating in foster care can also be a huge blessing to you and your family. Taking in a child or children in need can fill your life with a great sense of purpose and love like you may have never experienced. What a special thing to make your life bigger than yourself by caring for a child. You and your family can learn and grow closer together because of foster care. While it is never easy to include someone new in your family, foster care can be a great way to strengthen relationships and learn to appreciate the blessings you have been given.
For couples who have ever considered adopting a child or children into their family, foster care can be a great trial run to see how your family will adjust the addition of a new member in a less permanent way. Consider trying foster care for a few months or a year as you try to decide about adoption. One of the hardest but best things about foster care is that it does not require a long term commitment. Many foster care parents enjoy it so much that they take in child after child into their family.
In New Zealand there are four types of foster care:
Foster care: generally, is for a period of time with the goal that the child will return to their own family.
Emergency care: a child may come to you for a few days or a longer period, depending on the family circumstances.
Respite care: is looking after a child for short periods as a support for their main carers.
Home for life: is when a child is not able to return home and you become their lifelong carers, as part of your family.
If you are interested in determining if you and your family would do well at foster care, take some time to research the options in your area. Explore the possibilities and see if foster care might be the perfect way to reach out to your community, help a needy child, and strengthen your own family all at once.
Want to know more? Contact Child, Youth and Family at 0508 CARERS (0508 227 377) or www.cyf.govt.nz
An average day at Child, Youth and Family will include:
• Around 300 calls from people concerned about the safety of a child
• Support extended family and foster carers to look after around 4000 children and young people in care
• Hold around 60 family group conferences, where families meet to find ways to keep their children safe and well cared for, or help young people deal with their offending
• Be in touch with more than 100 families to make a positive difference for their children
• Be responsible for around 100 young people in youth justice residences.
Waiuku Families Blog 