A lot of people have a hazy view of what it truly means to be a foster parent until they actually start looking into it. If you are thinking of becoming a foster parent or it is something that has always intrigued you, you should take the time to truly inform yourself about what the life of a foster parent is really like. This could help you dispel some of the misconceptions you have about that job and open you up to some of its benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the myths surrounding foster care and the truth behind them.
Once a Foster Child Leaves, You’ll Never See Them Again
First of all, you should know that you can opt for both long-term and short-term foster arrangements, so you won’t have to have a revolving door of new children coming into your home, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. If you prefer building a relationship with the child, you can always opt for long-term fostering. But, if you want more flexibility and to be able to take breaks from time to time, going with a short-term arrangement could be a better option.
A foster child can also decide if they want to pursue a relationship with you later on in life. There are also cases where you can go from foster care to adoption. So, don’t assume that you will have to deal with constant abandonment since there are other options.
The Allowance Will Only Cover the Child’s Needs
Being a foster parent is a career and the money you get will be there to compensate for your effort on top of covering the child’s expenses. Your allowance will depend on things like the type of arrangement you have, how long you’ve been a foster parent, and where you live. People in London, for instance, may get a larger allowance than those in other towns and cities to cover the expensive cost of living. If you want to learn more about how you can expect to get, you can check out this page on foster allowance.
Foster Children are Difficult
People often assume that only problem children end up in foster care and that’s a shame because that’s what stops so many people from considering the profession. A child can end up in foster for issues entirely out of their control. This is almost always the case, actually.
A child can be in foster care because their parent is suffering from mental illness or disability, for instance. Others will end up in foster care after they’ve lost their parents. This is why becoming a foster parent is so important and why more people should look at fostering parenting.
If you are thinking of becoming a foster parent, know that this could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made in your life. Don’t let myths stop you and learn from people who are actually in the field first before you form an opinion.