Foster Parenting..

[Guest]

Anyone ever done it? Know someone who did? Was it a good or bad experience?

 

[Weird Harold]

Anyone ever done it? Know someone who did? Was it a good or bad experience?

My Aunt and Uncle used to foster kids on their farm in the 50's and 60's. They maintained contact with most of the kids over the years, and adopted two of them.

Out of all the kids they fostered, they only had one problem that I know of -- one teenage boy robbed them and ran-away.

I'd say they had about a 1% bad experience rate.

 

[Tamtam]

one of my very good friends is a foster mom. its a very emotional experience and you have to be a strong person to be able to do it. if you go in with the understanding that you are meant to care for these kids until they can go back to their parents it is a little easier. it can be scary my friend has had threats made on her life by birth moms of her kids but she has also had wonderful social workers to help along the way. its not a perfect process but its the best we have now. Im a social worker to be and so is my friend. Im not sure exactly what you are looking to know but if there is anything you want to ask me or my friend you are free to ask her or email me.

 

[Guest]

I have always wanted to be a foster parent..... but I have heard a lot of horror stories. I am a very loving and giving person... and I am strong to a point....
but I also get attached easily...


So I wanted to hear other points of view before I pursue it.

 

[Tamtam]

if its something youve always wanted to do then go for it. there are kids out there that really need someone to love them while they are going through a tough time. you hear all the horror stories because like every thing else.. the upsetting things make the news. They happy stories are over looked. over the past 5 years my friend has cared for 15 kids and is now in the process of adopting 2. if you have love to give..these kids really need it.
I suggest you go down to your area DYFS and talk to a social worker or a foster parent about their experience to know if its right for you.

 

[Wizard]

Well I don't have a long time right now but did want to say that Skitten and I did Foster parent for a while and yes it is nice to help "Kids" out however don't lose track of the fact they are troubled young kids and will put all kinds of emotional stress on your life as well as drain your pocketbook........Anyone that ever thinks they "Make money" at it is sadly mistaken you will spend way more out of your pocket than you will ever get back.
So kids we had broke all kinds of things in my house .....ripped a door off the hinges....pluged up the toilet......(love to come home to that one)

For us my breaking point was when I came home and found Skitten crying over what one of the kids had been doing and then and there I said it is nice to help but we have our own kids to take care of and help in another way....

Feel free to e-mail me and I'll fill anyone in on the rest...
Just be ready it is a tough deal............And you do get attached to them..

 

[Weird Harold]

So kids we had broke all kinds of things in my house .....ripped a door off the hinges....pluged up the toilet......(love to come home to that one)

Different times, and different standards of what "acceptable discipline" amounted to, but I think my uncle's lack of serious problems may have had something to do with the fact that he's six-foot-five, 250 lbs, and had a barn to take them out behind.

The kids my aunt and uncle fostered were "juvenile delinquents" referred by the county courts. That type of fostering isn't for everyone.

JP,
If you can limit the age and background of the children you're willing to foster, you might be able to avoid some of the worst pitfalls. Fostering young orphans, and children is much less stressful than fostering "troubled teens."