Are You Considering Being a Foster Parent

Foster homes provide at-risk children a temporary, safe place to live until they can be reunited with their families or, in some cases, placed permanently with adoptive families. Some children stay in foster care for days or weeks; some stay for years. Fostering a child is important, difficult and selfless work for little glory and less money. Those who take it on know that every day spent in their care, that child is getting a dose of consistency and love he or she wouldn't otherwise have.

The preparations for becoming a foster parent are the easiest part of foster parenting. Make sure that before you parent a child, you are prepared for all of the child's needs. You will need to care for their physical needs first and foremost, of course, but all foster children have very complex emotional needs. Each child will be different.

Understand the logistical facts of foster care. You will have more appointments than you ever dreamed possible: several visits a week by social workers--sometimes daily, supervised visits to the child's mother or father (or both); and trips to court and to the doctor, psychologist or occupational therapist.

To be a foster parent you must be sure it is a challenge you are ready for. Foster parenting takes time, money and the right personality. Think about whether you would be able to care for children in your home for months or even years and then say goodbye to them and return them to their parents, who may have abused them in the past.

If you are ready to become a foster parent. You will be interviewed by a counselor regarding your own childhood experiences and your family relations. Foster parents can be single, married, divorced or separated, and in some states or counties gay and lesbian.

Know that although foster parents receive financial compensation, it is not a way to get rich or even make some extra money. Many foster parents find that they spend more money caring for the children than they receive from the state.

Realize that foster care usually does not mean you will be caring for a sweet little baby. You may have hostile teenagers, depressed grade-schoolers and undisciplined preschoolers placed in your home

Don't feel bad if you decide that foster parenting is not for you. There are many other ways you can help children in your community. Volunteer at a school or make donations of food and clothing to local shelters.