Becoming a foster parent is a very important decision and one you can’t take lightly. You will be in charge of children often coming from vulnerable communities. Or, you might have to deal with children who’ve been suffering from all sorts of abuse and trauma. You don’t want to make matters worse by being an abusive or incompetent parent yourself.
You might also think that you are ready to become a foster carer, but may not be aware of what you need to be good at it. Let’s take a look at a few questions you should ask yourself as a couple before you decide to become foster parents.
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Do I Really Have What It Takes?
Some people may assume that they have what it takes to be good foster parents, but they might not know everything that’s involved and how emotionally demanding it could be. For instance, you might see yourself as very sensitive and assume that this will make you the perfect foster parent. But you also have to factor in that you will have to deal with separation over and over again, and being too sensitive might make it hard for you.
You’ll also need to be extremely patient; you might have to deal with hostile children, which might be tough for you if your goal is to help. You need to have great judgment and will have to work both as a counsellor and psychologist at the same time. This is also a full-time job and you can’t take a minute off, so you’ll need to make sure that you have the dedication needed to embark on this journey.
Can I Trust this Agency?
Another very important thing is making sure that the agency you work with can be trusted. You want a team that will brief you and is there for you if you have any questions or issues. This level of support will depend on the agency you choose, so do your research.
One option would be to go with a foster care agency like www.blueskyfostering.com. They have a long history of serving the community and their team will be there for you 24/7 if you need assistance, which is very important. They also go a step further and give you specialised training on how to care for and handle foster children. They even have a paid holiday programme for foster parents who want to recharge their batteries between assignments.
What’s Your Motivation?
This is probably the most important question that you should ask. You want to assess what your true motivations are. That goes for both you and your partner. You have to be honest too.
Are you trying to fill the nest, or fulfil the needs of a child? Some people are more interested in having a child for the house instead of providing a house for a child. While it can be rewarding to care for a foster child, it should be about them first. Parents who do this for self-gratification are also less likely to stick around when the going gets tough.
These are all essential questions you’ll need to answer before you start the foster parent process. Make sure that you answer them as faithfully as you can and that you are 100% ready to welcome a child in need into your home and family.
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