The Merriam Webster dictionary says to foster is to "promote the growth or development of" or "to give parental care to."
As a foster parent I am providing a home and a safe environment for the children in my care. I show them that life is good and model good and appropriate behavior. I do things with them that they may never have had the opportunity to do with their own families. They are provided nutritious meals, clothes and toys to play with. They are taken to doctor and dental appointments regularly. Most importantly they are given lots of love and affection, opportunities to express themselves and learn to deal with their emotions while in my care.
When children are brought into care there are many changes going on in their lives, often they are leaving everything familiar to them behind (families, friends, schools, pets ect). This brings alot of emotion and I am part of a team helping the children work through their emotions. It is very important for the children to have a peaceful place to live. All children need role models and this is especially true for children who come into foster care.
I have many challenging opportunites, but these children benefit greatly by the love and support they are given through a good foster family. With research that shows foster children being at risk of becoming poor Americans in society it is my responsibility to advocate for them and to get them the best educational opportunities possible while they are in my care. Teaching them adequate life skills so that they can be more successful is also a responsiblity that I take seriously.
My responsibility as a foster parent is to be a team member, a skilled caregiver, avocate, a behavioral managment specialist, a parent, teacher and a multitude of other skills. The decision to foster parent is life changing and requires the involvement of the entire foster family, it won't work otherwise.
I am a colleague among the child welfare team and have a voice in decisions being made for the children in my care. I have the responsibilities that many traditional families have, but also have responsibilities to the child welfare system. Keeping informed about special needs children and meeting training requirements are part of what is expected of a foster parent. This helps keep us on track and knowledgable of how to work with the special needs of the unique and individual children in our care.
There is nothing greater than knowing that, as a foster parent, I can make a difference in the lives of these children. That I can help direct them down the right path, see them transformed and have a future and a hope.
