The Pros and Cons of Becoming a Foster Parent
Becoming a foster parent can be challenging, but it can also be very rewarding. There are presently more than 400,000 children in the American foster system alone. That equates to many children in need of a good home. If you’re thinking of opening up your home and your heart and becoming a foster parent, here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros of Becoming a Foster Parent
A route to adoption
Some people have always dreamt of adopting a child, but find the adoption process too intimidating or expensive. For example, one can expect to spend anywhere between $15,000 to $45,000 during the adoption process. Often, fostering can lead to adoption. Minors in the foster care system have typically been removed from their biological parents for safety reasons. The parents must then follow specific guidelines to qualify to have custody of their children again.
Unfortunately, some birth parents fail to follow these guidelines. While most foster children eventually go back to living with their biological parents or other relatives, those with no other place to go hope for adoption. Foster parents have an opportunity to adopt and give those who have nowhere else to go a second chance.
Fulfillment
Giving a child a loving home, something many foster children have never experienced before, is gratifying. Sometimes, one can see the emotional and mental growth of the child happen right before their eyes. Knowing that you helped change the course of a child’s life forever is truly something to treasure.
A stipend for the needs of the child
The state of Ohio usually offers a stipend proportional to the child’s needs. What foster parents are not allowed to do is use this stipend for their own personal needs or become a foster parent to receive an income. The compensation can be helpful if you would like to become a foster parent but are unsure if you can afford to.
Cons of Becoming a Foster Parent
Hidden costs
Foster children can often need a lot of care and attention, as all children do. Sometimes the children are behind in school and require extra lessons or time to help them catch up. Sometimes the children have behavioral or mental health issues, or they may come from traumatic households and need emotional support. In most cases, this has a financial impact on the foster parents. Though a stipend is provided, it is not always enough to cover all of the extras that a child might need to get back on track.
Separation
A real bond can be built between a foster parent and their foster child. When it is time for the foster child to go back to their biological parents or to another relative, it can be heartbreaking for everyone involved.
Admin
Even though becoming a foster parent is not as complicated as adopting, foster parents are still required to undergo training, fill out forms and make themselves available for visits from a social worker.
Becoming a foster parent is not without its challenges. However, there are support groups that you can join which can help you feel less alone in your journey. It is a pilgrimage that positively impacts the lives of both the foster children and the foster parents.
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