How Fostering Benefits the Children of Foster Carers

Choosing to start your fostering journey is a big decision and you need to consider how it will impact all aspects of your life. If you already have children, you may be unsure of how fostering will affect their life. You’ll be glad to know that fostering can have a positive impact on the children of foster carers, providing them with valuable life lessons and opportunities for personal growth. Read on to find out how fostering benefits children of foster carers, and for some helpful advice for those growing up in fostering families.

1. Boosts Empathy and Compassion:

   Growing up with foster siblings exposes children to a variety of life experiences, giving them a deeper sense of empathy. They learn firsthand about the challenges other children face, such as loss and trauma, which can help them develop a broader emotional understanding of others.

2. Improves Social Skills:

   Sharing their home with children from different backgrounds helps children of foster carers improve their communication and social skills. They often become more adaptable and patient, learning how to navigate complex family dynamics and interact with children who might behave differently than they are used to.

3. Develops a Sense of Responsibility and Maturity:

   Many children of foster carers report that fostering made them more mature and responsible. They are often encouraged to take on small roles in helping foster children adjust to the family environment, which boosts their leadership skills and ability to care for others.

4. Promotes Cultural Awareness and Openness:

   Fostering can expose children to diverse cultural and social backgrounds, promoting tolerance and understanding. This increased exposure to diversity can help them become more open-minded individuals.

5. Strengthens Family Bonds:

   Despite the challenges, fostering can strengthen family bonds. Working together to support foster children often creates a shared sense of purpose, bringing family members closer as they navigate the experience together.
   
   

If you are already fostering or starting your fostering journey, you can share the below advice with your children to help the process go as smoothly as possible.

1. Open Communication:

   It’s essential for children of foster carers to have an open dialogue with their parents about how they feel. Fostering can sometimes be emotionally challenging, and children may feel neglected or overwhelmed. Encouraging them to express their feelings can help them cope with these changes in a healthy way.

2. Involvement in the Decision-Making Process:

   Children should feel included in discussions about fostering, especially when it comes to accepting a new child into the home. When they are part of the decision-making process, they are more likely to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility.

3. Establishing Personal Boundaries:

   It’s important for children of foster carers to maintain their own space and interests. Fostering can sometimes mean sharing attention and resources, so ensuring that they have their own time for activities and friends can help them feel secure and valued.

4. Support Networks:

   Foster families should consider seeking support for their children. There are fostering agencies and organizations who offer dedicated programs, such as peer support groups, where children of foster carers can connect with others who understand their unique experiences. At Step by Step Fostering, we are happy to connect your children with other children of foster carers.

5. Celebrate Their Contribution:

   Acknowledge the role that birth children play in the success of fostering. Recognizing their patience, understanding, and support can help them feel appreciated and validate their contribution to the family’s fostering journey.

Fostering can be an extremely life-enriching experience for the children of foster carers. With the right support and communication, children of foster carers can thrive alongside foster children, gaining skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Supporting them through these changes is key to ensuring a positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

If you have any questions or would like to talk through any concerns, you can get in touch with our friendly team here.