6 Reasons to Become a Foster Parent
Many people focus on why they don’t think they could be foster parents, but there are many reasons to consider fostering as well.
With the staggering numbers of children in foster care in our communities, there is always a significant need for more foster families. Many people consider foster parenting, but understandably fear the unknown. Common thoughts of “What if we get too attached?” or “What if the child goes back to a bad situation?” often steer people away.
Of course, everyone needs to decide if foster care is right for them. However, when considering the reasons not to foster, we should also consider the many reasons to become a foster parent.
Here are just a few to think about:
1. Foster parenting changes generations.
If you have ever thought, “I can’t help them all, but maybe I can help one,” consider this: The difference you can make as a foster parent and adoptive parent doesn’t just affect the children in your care. It can impact generations. Children and youth can learn what it takes for families to be stable and safe. The healing they experience in your home can impact them for life. Through these lessons, we hope the kids in your care will grow up to provide security and safety for their children, who will then go on to do the same for theirs.
2. Foster parenting impacts your community.
Do you know that there are children from your community who are in foster care and need to be placed in families? You may be able to help these local children stay in their school or close to their home. You can make a difference in your own backyard, keeping kids connected to a sense of familiarity when everything else is changing. Foster parenting is a powerful way to impact your community. You can lift up children and show them that there is hope for the future.
3. Fostering can change you.
While making a difference in the lives of foster children, you may find that they change your life too. Foster children can teach us a lot and fill our lives with joy. Although the goal is to improve the lives of the children you work with, you will probably find your life changed as well. The training and support you receive will help guide you in parenting not only foster children but any children and youth you may interact with. One of the most common fears for foster parents is that they will get “too attached” to foster children and grieve when they leave. This is a natural fear, and you may indeed experience heartbreak. But what if we shift our mindset to consider the risk of heartbreak worth it to know that a child gets to experience a safe and loving home in a time of crisis?
4. There are not enough homes for older children and sibling groups.
This is one of the most heartbreaking struggles in finding homes for children and youth in care. It is very difficult to find homes for children over the age of six and for sibling groups of three or more. Statistically, many families entering foster parenthood prefer to take in children at younger ages. While this is understandable, the truth is that all ages of children and youth need families.
If homes are not available for larger sibling groups, the group is split up into multiple homes. Children and youth in care have already dealt with their lives being turned upside down, so sleeping in temporary placements due to the lack of homes or being separated from siblings is extremely distressing. The need for families to be open to welcoming older children and sibling groups cannot be overstated.
5. Too many children grow up in a setting that does not resemble a family.
Residential facilities and group homes provide for safety, basic needs, and structure, but they are not a family. Some children require a high level of structure and care due to emotional and behavioral challenges. If more families were willing to be equipped with specialized training to meet the challenges of these children and youth, and provide them with the feeling of belonging in a family, more children can experience love and stability.
6. Children need you.
The unfortunate reality is that there are too many children in foster care and not enough foster homes. Children need safe, loving, caring homes that are willing to go the extra mile to show them support. Becoming a foster parent is a big step that comes with big rewards. Foster parents can model healthy living, loving relationships, structure, discipline, and family fun. Foster parents can genuinely make a difference in the life of a child or children and impact generations to come. Whether you are interested in fostering, adoption, or even providing temporary respite care, you can make a big difference.
The children need you. They need all of us.
Get in touch with the Omni team
Whether you’re considering becoming a foster or adoptive parent or have already begun your journey and would like support, we want to help. Click below to connect with our team, we’d love to talk.