Welcome back to Taylor Talks!
Who remembers Foster Parent Fridays? Last year, I was featuring interviews with foster parents on Fridays as a special series. Unfortunately, as all good things do, the series came to an end in October. I had no more interviews to feature, and there was nothing I could do to propel the series forward.
About two weeks ago, I decided to put the word out again to see if there was any interest in doing an interview for me. I went on the foster family pages that I'm part of, and asked around, and I actually received two responses. While I hope to feature more interviews in the future, I'm happy to at least share the experiences of these two women for now.
Who remembers Foster Parent Fridays? Last year, I was featuring interviews with foster parents on Fridays as a special series. Unfortunately, as all good things do, the series came to an end in October. I had no more interviews to feature, and there was nothing I could do to propel the series forward.
About two weeks ago, I decided to put the word out again to see if there was any interest in doing an interview for me. I went on the foster family pages that I'm part of, and asked around, and I actually received two responses. While I hope to feature more interviews in the future, I'm happy to at least share the experiences of these two women for now.
Tonight, I'd like to jump back into things with a Q & A session with a woman who we'll call "B." A resident of England, "B" was kind enough to share her foster parent experiences with me so that I could, in turn, share them with my readers.
How long have you been a foster parent?
"[It] will be three years on March 24th."
Do you do respite, short-term, or long-term care?
"All, but mainly long-term."
How many children have you taken in over that period of time?
"Five."
Do you limit your care to a certain age group? If so, what ages do you take in?
"Any ages between 5-18."
Have you ever adopted any children? If so, how many?
"No."
Did you have any biological children when you started foster care? If so, how many? How old were they at the time?
"No, [I have no] biological children."
What were your biggest concerns as you started your foster care journey?
"If I was good enough, and what types of horrors some [of the] children I might get could have gone through."
What is the biggest lesson you learned from being a foster parent?
"How much a loving family and a stable place to call home can really change the life of a child. Even the most destructive children can grow up to be someone they can be proud of with the right support and encouragement. Also, how much as adults, and [as carers] with responsibility, we have to advocate for these children. We know them best, no matter how much the social workers think they do."
Is there anything you would change about your experience as a foster parent?
"Have a bigger home so I could take in sibling groups."
Do you have any words of wisdom for future or new foster parents?
"Laugh as much as you can with these kids. Be fun, but firm. Set boundaries early on, and most of all, get a network of people behind you who are also foster carers. [Because] no matter how much you think the friends you have now can support you, they just don't understand."
"[It] will be three years on March 24th."
Do you do respite, short-term, or long-term care?
"All, but mainly long-term."
How many children have you taken in over that period of time?
"Five."
Do you limit your care to a certain age group? If so, what ages do you take in?
"Any ages between 5-18."
Have you ever adopted any children? If so, how many?
"No."
Did you have any biological children when you started foster care? If so, how many? How old were they at the time?
"No, [I have no] biological children."
What were your biggest concerns as you started your foster care journey?
"If I was good enough, and what types of horrors some [of the] children I might get could have gone through."
What is the biggest lesson you learned from being a foster parent?
"How much a loving family and a stable place to call home can really change the life of a child. Even the most destructive children can grow up to be someone they can be proud of with the right support and encouragement. Also, how much as adults, and [as carers] with responsibility, we have to advocate for these children. We know them best, no matter how much the social workers think they do."
Is there anything you would change about your experience as a foster parent?
"Have a bigger home so I could take in sibling groups."
Do you have any words of wisdom for future or new foster parents?
"Laugh as much as you can with these kids. Be fun, but firm. Set boundaries early on, and most of all, get a network of people behind you who are also foster carers. [Because] no matter how much you think the friends you have now can support you, they just don't understand."
I know that my mom can relate to "B's" wish to have a bigger house... I probably would have had way more siblings if we'd had a bigger house when I was growing up. As for "B's" words of wisdom, I do have to agree in a way. Your friends and family be absolutely supportive, have your back, and want to help. But sometimes, unless you're going through something yourself, you just can't know what a person is going through.
Are you a foster parent who is interested in doing an interview for Foster Parent Fridays? Send me a message through my Contact page and I'll give you the details! I'm looking forward to sharing more interviews in the future to showcase the perspectives of other foster parents!
Your continued support means the world to me. From foster care to novels, and family to work experiences, I look forward to sharing more of my life with you each day. Don't hesitate to share your own stories with me or ask me questions about my life. Please don't forget to like and share my Facebook author page as well!
I’d greatly appreciate it if you would share this blog with friends and family through your favorite social media sites. If you’re sharing on Twitter, don’t forget to tag me (@TayTayK02) and use the hashtag #TaylorTalks.
Thanks!
Taylor
Are you a foster parent who is interested in doing an interview for Foster Parent Fridays? Send me a message through my Contact page and I'll give you the details! I'm looking forward to sharing more interviews in the future to showcase the perspectives of other foster parents!
Your continued support means the world to me. From foster care to novels, and family to work experiences, I look forward to sharing more of my life with you each day. Don't hesitate to share your own stories with me or ask me questions about my life. Please don't forget to like and share my Facebook author page as well!
I’d greatly appreciate it if you would share this blog with friends and family through your favorite social media sites. If you’re sharing on Twitter, don’t forget to tag me (@TayTayK02) and use the hashtag #TaylorTalks.
Thanks!
Taylor
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