“I’d love to foster, but I have three kids. How will it affect them to have kids come and go?” When families are considering fostering and they have biological children in their home, they almost always ask what impact fostering could have on their children. This is a fair question—one every family should ask. The reality is, however, that a majority of the time, that question is fear-driven, and they are asking about negative impacts.
We were one of the families who asked that question before fostering. We did end up taking the leap and opening our home to kids in need. Now my wife and I have a list of the positive effects of foster care on our biological children. Here are 5 you should be excited about if you’re considering becoming a foster family.
Sacrifice
Fostering gave our children opportunities to sacrifice. Whether it was sharing a toy, or even sharing us as their parents, our biological children chose in many different moments to sacrifice for the benefit of another child—one they weren’t even related to! This willingness to sacrifice for others is something our children will take with them into adulthood.
Perspective
Fostering also gave our children perspective. Our biological children saw firsthand that the world is a difficult and imperfect place. They learned about abuse, neglect, and abandonment. It might be scary to think about allowing your children to know that there’s evil in the world, but that knowledge is going to come to them eventually. By fostering, they learned we all can do something to make a positive difference. Yes, even kids.
Diversity
Fostering brought diversity into our home. Children who come into foster care match the children in our community—they’re diverse! Different ages, cultures, languages, races, and socioeconomic statuses are all represented in foster care.
Siblings
Fostering also gave our biological children a sibling! We adopted our daughter through fostering. The goal of fostering is reunification, for foster children to be safely reunified with their biological families. There are times, however, when this is no longer possible and adoption may become a possibility. Even if fostering doesn’t lead to adoption, the bonds kids form will last in their hearts.
Faith
Fostering gave our biological children an opportunity to live out their faith. When they themselves chose to love, care for, and sacrifice for a foster sibling, they were living out what it means for them to love their neighbor.
If you have fostered, what positive impacts did it have on your biological children?
Did you know that over 1,000 children and teens enter the foster care system each month in the state of Florida? They are in need of safe, loving, and committed foster families who can care for them while they are removed from their homes. Would you consider opening your heart and home to care? Your family’s foster or adoption journey can begin today! Learn more here.
