Foster Parents

Foster parents help children, who might be alone, survive in our world. All children have the right to live with a family who will love and care for them. Foster parents take care of children who can't live with their biological parents. Foster children live with families who are willing to treat the child(children) as if they were their own. Any adult can become a foster parent. What's important is the fact that you and your family are willing to think of the foster child(children) as family. it doesn't matter if you are From an ethnic, racial or cultural background. You just have to be able to take care of the children and be able to give them the attention and love that they deserve. Foster parents must be able to tolerate the children who might not want to be part of their family and they must have “the patience to work with a child who may be withdrawn or hyperactive.”(C&F Services). Foster parents receive a daily allowance to assist them in purchasing food and clothing for the child. This amount is paid monthly and is based on the need and age of the child.(Anishinaabe) The ages of foster children range from the day they were born to their 17th year. The amount of time a foster child(or children) stays with a foster family ranges from a few hours to years. Foster families must be prepared to give the children the attention and love that they may need, but they must also be prepared to "let go" when the time for the children to leave comes. “The word "foster" means to help someone (or something) grow and develop. It also means to take care of someone's needs.” (KidsHealth) Everyone deserves a home. A house to go home to, parents that love and care for them, but not all kids have that privilege. Some kids get abused by their parents and that's when the government decides to take that child who is being abused or improperly cared for, and place them in a foster home. "Foster carers help children and young people feel valued, respected and listened to as individuals." (Tasmania) Foster Parents have many responsibilities. Such as:

• Meet the child's basic need for food, clothing and shelter.
• Provide fair and equal treatment for all children in your home.
• Enroll the child in school.
• Encourages the child's involvement in social and recreational activities.
• Provide consistent and realistic discipline and guidance that is age appropriate and does not involve corporal punishment.
• Transport child to activities, meetings, appointments, etc. (FCAC)

Foster parents help children who cannot be with their true parents, they help children feel safe, love, and cared for.