How Foster Care Makes a Difference for the Child and the Foster Parent

Hundreds of thousands of children are placed in foster care each year because of abuse, neglect, death or incarceration of a parent, or behavioral problems among many other sad situations. They need the time and effort of several committed adults in order to grow and thrive.

Though this may sound daunting, there are plenty of advantages for the child and the foster parent. Before considering fostering, one should consider all the ins and outs of the experience and make sure that everyone in the household is on board.

Beneficial for the Entire Family

Contrary to what many believe, foster care doesn't just benefit the child in need. Everyone in the household can grow and learn from the experience. There are plenty of quotes on "making a difference in a child's life" and they are all too true. Just knowing that one has made an impact has tremendous effects in the life of the foster parent.

Though it can be hard to let go, and this should be noted. Many foster parents are those who cannot have children of their own, so in a short-term situation after they've bonded with the child seeing them go can be heart-wrenching. It's something foster carers should keep in mind and be prepared for.

On the flip side, if the carers are looking to adopt, often times the agency will place a long-term child with them, knowing it could lead to adoption. Carers go through an extensive assessment in order to have the right child placed in their care.

Safe and Secure

For these kids, a stable and secure environment is just what they need to succeed. Being taken from their parents, family, friends and a home they were accustomed to is very rough for them. Because the goal is to reunite the child, the foster carer should be willing to provide what they need in the meantime. This includes physically and psychologically, preparing them for the next step, and understanding their situation.

Knowing that one has provided this, and helped not only the child but their parents and family to be reunited in love and understanding is a wonderful feeling.

Academic Benefits

In most cases, children who come from an unstable household are falling behind in school. When they enter a stable location, they have minimal worries and can focus on their education.

This is especially true when the foster carer has time to devote to homework and academic encouragement. Many children are very concerned with what's going on at home be it fighting, poverty or other drama that no child should have to face.

One benefit that is proven through foster care is that most children begin to succeed academically, and the time away can help them focus and get back in the game as far as school successes.

Consider Fostering

Regardless of one's reason for wanting to foster a child, they have a wealth of resources in order to research whether it'd be a good fit for their lifestyle. A child's well-being is not to be taken lightly, but if a person can offer a safe, warm and nurturing environment either short or long-term, then they can make a difference.

Though children are placed each day, there are thousands that are still in the system and waiting for someone to open their homes and hearts.

Foster Care - Alternative for Gay and Lesbian Couples

Finding proper foster parents for the many children living in state custody is an on-going battle. Some families are happy to take in foster children in the hopes they find a supportive environment until they are legally adopted. It takes a generous soul with a unique ability to overcome heart ache to offer a home of this sort. Other faster parents find they have grown so attached to their foster children that they adopt the children and remove themselves from the fostering system. Gay and lesbian couples didn't always have the "right" to open their homes to foster children, but growing concern about children growing up in orphanages and group homes has forced the foster care system to open the doors to gay and lesbian couples.

Why Were Gay Men and Lesbians Not Allowed to Foster Children?

The foster care system is based on the same laws as the United States government. As little as 10 years ago, gays and lesbians were allowed no legal rights as couples or as parents. Great advances have come in the last 5 years when experts started realizing the positive impact gay and lesbian couples could have on the lives of children who otherwise would be lost in group care for all of their young lives.

Gay and lesbian couples who wish to be parents have the option to apply as foster parents. They will have to undergo the same rigorous application process complete with home visits and references. Once approved, foster children will be assigned to the home and parents given a stipend to help cover care and expenses.

Foster care is not a permanent situation and children can be removed from foster care for a variety of reasons. If the foster parents no longer wish to care for the child, they can ask for reassignment. Other reasons a child may be removed from the home include personal wishes of the child or restoration of parental rights.

Some children stay in foster homes for many years without ever being adopted by the foster parents. Others remain in a foster home for years only to be pulled from the home by a biological parent leaving the fostering couple devastated at the loss of a child.

Gay and lesbian couples who wish to open their homes as foster parents need only apply at the local agency for approval. Some states are more respectful of gay and lesbian rights and others are not.