Things Foster Parents Want
Foster parents are among the most under-appreciated group of caregivers in society. Most people outside of the foster care system rarely learn the challenges of foster parents, and even those within the system sometimes marginalize or dismiss foster parents' contribution. If you work closely with foster parents or children, commit yourself to learning more about what foster parents want.
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Support
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Foster parents need support in order to raise healthy, happy children and maintain their sanity along the way. This support can come from social workers, churches, community centers and schools. Neither birth parents nor foster parents should have to raise their children in isolation. If you are a community leader, program organizer, social worker or educator, pay special attention to foster parents' often overlooked need for support, and do what you can to provide it.
Appreciation
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Government officials need to recognize and express appreciation for foster parents, without whom orphaned children could not successfully transition into permanent homes. It's important that foster parents feel respected by others in the social services industry. Otherwise, foster parents will develop feelings of burnout and be unable to offer their foster children the safest, most nurturing environment possible.
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Knowledge
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Foster parents want to be informed about their rights and obligations. They also want to know the legal status of their foster children and the legal protections that both children and parents can enjoy. Family lawyers and government officials need to avail themselves of foster parents; foster parents in turn want and deserve to understand their role in the system.
Alone Time
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Like birth-parents and caretakers of any kind, foster parents want time to themselves. This isn't just a matter of selfishness. Research demonstrates that caretakers who have adequate alone time are more effective than those who do not. Taking time out for one's own development and relaxation is important for everyone. Since foster parents nurture some of the young people who need it most, foster parents themselves want to be in good mental and emotional health. Taking time to be alone is one way they make this happen.
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References
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- Photo Credit parent image by Robert Kelly from Fotolia.com
