Being a foster parent is an incredible thing to do. If you feel ready for it, then offering your home, time, and attention to a child in need of those things is amazing. However, as rewarding and positive as this experience can be, many people may not be in the right position to do this. It’s something that needs to be considered carefully before making any decisions, and there are many additional factors involved that can affect these choices. If fostering a child is something you’d like to do, then here are some points to think about to help you decide if you’re ready.
Are There Other Children in Your Life?
Some people choose to foster at the same time as having their own children in the home, while others may wait until their children have grown up and moved out of the house. Other people may choose to foster when they have no children of their own but may have relatives and friends with kids who are around a lot. Having other children around doesn’t mean fostering can’t work well, but it does mean you’ll need to think more carefully about the dynamics between all the kids involved.
Do You Have Enough Free Time?
If you had children a while ago or have never had them before, it can be easy to underestimate how much time you should leave free to look after and spend time with a child in your care. You will want to ensure the child feels totally welcome and at ease in your home.