I started fostering 15 years ago, when my husband and I took in two boys from our family as their kinship carers. Eventually, we were told they could return to their birth parent. It was a difficult adjustment emotionally but was comforting to know that we provided them a safe and happy home, even if it was just for a little while.
Navigating the experience of returning children back to their birth family was one of my biggest fears when becoming a foster carer. After I experienced it first-hand, I knew that I could get through it and would do it again if it meant I could help more children.
Then, my husband and I started kinship caring for our little granddaughter. We knew she would be with us for a while and decided to grow our family by caring for a young boy as well. This was our first experience fostering a child outside our family. We had our hands full with two children when we found out that our grandson, the sibling of the granddaughter in our care, also needed a carer. We made the heart-wrenching decision to have someone else foster him.
I connected with my grandson’s foster carer and began speaking with her on the phone every week, and then every day. We arranged playdates, taking turns minding the kids to give the other a break and to provide my grandchildren a chance to bond as siblings.
This relationship made me realise the power of foster carers coming together, so I started to connect with and build a network of fellow carers in my community. My support network also includes our caseworker. She is like family to us. The kids always look forward to her visits. I know if I ever need advice, a helping hand with a school pick-up or to get the children to an appointment, our caseworker is there for us. Through this support network, especially the close connection we’ve made with my grandson’s carer, my husband and I have been able to start fostering a third child.
Children in our communities need to be loved and protected. They are our future. I would say to someone considering becoming a foster carer that it is okay not to understand everything when you first start. Foster care builds community. There will be opportunities for connection throughout your foster care journey and you will continue to find people who you can lean on for support.
