Signs You Can Be a Good Foster Parent
Becoming a foster parent can be one of the most selfless and fulfilling decisions you’ll ever make in your life, but it’s not that simple. It shouldn’t be though. It calls for total commitment towards giving a child a safe and stable temporary home after being removed from their birth parents’ care by the court because of family problems.
If you’re considering being a foster parent, here are signs that you’re ready to be one:
Financial Stability
While you need not be rich, it is important to be financially stable so you can provide for all the needs of the child. While foster parents get state and federal subsidies, not all their expenses may be reimbursed. Hence, you cannot totally depend on this aid.
Dealing with Biological Parents
More than 50{edfc94664920815ddf8c454fc382bed4bb715253b36c952343ff63b444c16935} of foster kids eventually return to their birth families or primary custodians after getting the treatment or rehabilitation they needed while in foster care. Bear that in mind, along with the fact it will be the court that will decide on contact between parents and foster parents. In some cases, frequent visits by birth parents will be required as a path to the children reuniting with their birth parents later on.
The Right Understanding of Foster Kids
One false belief about foster children is that they’re always so damaged and thus hard to care for. Truth is, a lot of children in foster care are typical kids. But because of the family problems they’ve had to go through, they should still receive special and proper care for the emotional and behavioral issues they may face. Such issues can be unique to the child, depending on their age and the trauma they experienced.
Having a Solid Network
Taking in a foster child is a lot like living in a glass house. Everyone will be watching, whether it’s therapists, case workers, your neighbors, and so on. You’re going to need a stable outside network for sure. For example, if you want to take in a young child, is there a daycare center close to your home or at least your workplace? If you live alone in your house and go to work every day, or if you get sick, who will be there for the child? Of course, this should be someone who can be available on short notice and has passed a criminal background check.
Preparing for Goodbyes
Finally, you have to understand that as a foster parent, you will eventually have to say goodbye to the child when it’s time for them to return to their family. Should the court decide against such a reunion, hopefully, you can be the first candidate for the child’s adoption if you want to. Either way, kids need to leave foster care at a certain point, and there is a possibility that you will not hear from that child or know their whereabouts.