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Forum LockedAnyone foster/provide respite for kids?

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VioletStar View Drop Down
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    Posted: 08 March 2010 at 11:52am
We are just about finished the process to provide foster/respite care for kids... probably mainly between 5-10 years old but anywhere from 3-12 years (possibly up to 16 year olds one day).

Any tips?
What 'rules' do you have for your house?

Luckily through my job I know all the social workers I'll be dealing with and they are great.

Thanks!
Formerly Wishin41
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Bombshell View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bombshell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 March 2010 at 12:13pm
nope and due to my work I am not in a position to do it now...but may in time! good on you for offering your home tho!

It takes someone special to do respite care...maybe even at times more so than to foster due to having these kids for such a short time...or for an unknown period!

protect your heart in all this....thats my advice!
give all you can and make sure these kids get love and affection...and where youre able to make sure the parents / caregivers know that you adore their child and have their best interests in mind at all times....

all the best for this pathway you have chosen....I salute you!!! its an awesome job!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VioletStar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 March 2010 at 12:51pm
Thanks!

We'll probably go down the road of having teens eventually but I need a break from them at the mo lol... I worked with teens with special needs for years so am probably still recovering from that 7 mths on lol.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mucky_Tiger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 March 2010 at 3:38pm
i want to become a foster parent but i am only 20 and DP is 25 so i doubt we would get accepted. even though both of us are fantastic with kids and my course is flexible to work around school/kindy hours
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VioletStar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 March 2010 at 3:46pm
Definitely go for it mucky_one... they can only say no.

We are 25 and 29. I think if I had applied when I was your age they would've accepted us. It's about your maturity and what you have to offer not a number
Feel free to PM me if you want to ask any questions!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VioletStar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 March 2010 at 11:24am
Update:

YAY! The home visit went great and looks like they already have 2 pre-teens lined up for us for regular care.

Exciting!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Emmecat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 March 2010 at 11:35am

Sara well done. I have fostered for 2 years (and family fostering situation) and he has just left us...gutting  Its hard and rewarding at the same time. I think your situation will probably be easier though as ours was tainted hugely by the expectation that we actually adopt the child involved, which unforunately didn't end up being a reality. I would adbvise still though to decide what rules you want in place and keep them. Don't let yourself be swayed by the bad life that some of the kids might have had. Kids need boundires and often these children have not had them...and this has been shown in their lives by lack of rules, lack of general care and indifference.  IMO the worse thing you could do is be reallay lenient and let them give you sob stories, and the worst thing you could do is not care IYKWIM? By laying down boundries and rules etc you are showing you DO care and that the kids are more than their sad story.

Just my opinion from my experience. Good luck hun


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VioletStar View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote VioletStar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 March 2010 at 12:26pm
Yeah I totally understand where you are coming from. I think I will find putting boundaries etc in place like second nature as I've worked with teens for a few years now and definitely had to have strong boundaries and I put them out there and the teens respected them because they knew I wouldn't back down in regards to them if it came down to it. But we had great fun as well... it's about balance in the relationship I believe.
I had a few of the girls I worked with last year describe their relationship with me being like I was their sister (in regards to being able to be able to talk to me about anything etc) but at the end of the day they knew I was staff.

That's so awesome you've fostered for 2 years, I knew about the family fostering but didn't realise about the other fostering - good on ya!
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