I have been with my foster carers for two and a half years now, but have been in care for five years. My foster carers help me with many things like money, hobbies, giving me a healthy diet, and helping me get into a routine. I think this is helpful and they set me rules and boundaries which I like, so I know what I can and can’t do. When I’m with my foster carers, we do lots of activities including archery and going out to the zoo etc.
I would like people to know that when you are a child in foster care, or even the carer, you can build serious relationships which can make you feel like being a part of a family, even though they’re not your parents.
I think someone should become a foster carer because you can build massive relationships and bonds between many families that are also looking after other children who are in care. Plus, many life skills are learnt throughout caring for other children. It’s also very interesting to know about children’s backgrounds and how they grew up, and how you can help them until adulthood arrives.
If you are someone who is about to become a foster carer, I’d say that you should think about the number of young lives you’re helping and how many parents you’re also helping.
When I first moved into my foster carer’s house, I remember how confusing it was at first, as I didn’t know too much about foster care, but I also thought on the other side of my brain that this is for the greater good of not just my parents, but myself too. I would say that I have learnt so many skills, and I have gained so much knowledge since being in foster care, and if you think about it hard enough, you know that this is the right decision, not just for your family, but for you too.