Celebrating Foster Parents Month | Family Photography Hills District Sydney

5 minutes reading time

We’ve celebrated our mums we’ve celebrated our dads, now it’s time to celebrate our wonderful Australian foster parents. September is the NSW Foster parents month. Just like all other parents, foster parents deserve to be uplifted and appreciated. Which is why they get a whole month! May is the other month that Foster parents are celebrated but here in NSW we like to honour them in September.

It’s very important to remember how amazing foster parents are, not only do they welcome children into their care, they also do this while caring for their own family and making the new member feel part of that unit. Just like every other form of family dynamic, foster families come in all shapes, sizes and circumstances. Sometimes the foster parents are already related to the child/children, sometimes they’re not even from the same state. The common denominator between all family units is LOVE.

Last year alone just under 200,000 children were placed into protection care, all children were aged between new-born and 17 years old. That’s 3 kids in every 1000, that were placed into care. Any age is difficult to move into a new family life, which is why these amazing Foster Parents open their homes and family to make another member feel welcome. Providing them with not only the basic needs of a child, a safe environment, food, water, warmth. Foster Parents provide love where love wasn’t before, a voice where there weren’t before, even siblings sometimes! Normalising Foster care is something that has come a long way, yet still has a long way to go. There are a recorded 9,000 foster volunteers here in Australia, let me just break down the reality of this.

With so many children placed in the care system last year (170,000) and only 9000 foster volunteers, for every foster parent there are 18 children needing their care. In reality that would mean a Foster parent would need to take care of at least one child a month and have a second one join them halfway through that month. This would be just to keep the figure of children in care homed.

For this blog we’ve teamed up with a previous child of the care system who experienced foster parents for the first time when she was 14. Given her older age of 14 at the time, Danielle can tell us what she thinks makes the ideal foster parent and how the foster child themselves adapts to their new surroundings. Danielle is now 24 and has been with her foster parents for 10 years. Moving into a family of 8 at that age was terrifying, so looking back on her experience here are her tips and advice!

Top 10 tips to be an ideal foster parent:

1.     Pass no judgement. Each foster child carries their own story, a story that In some way or another has affected their family life and living arrangements. Depending on the age of the child they may or may not be aware of their own story. The older the foster child, the more likely they are to have mixed emotions about this story. Your open arms without judgement can give that child a head start to the beginning of their new life story.

2.     Support the child. Supporting your foster child in new activities, new hobbies and new opportunities they now have is an absolute essential! The chances are the child is now exposed to new opportunities and possibilities they didn’t have before. Encouraging them to reach out of their comfort zone in terms of activities or hobbies can unlock a passion or interest they never knew they had before.

3.     Inclusion. Depending on your own family life you may already have an immediate family at home. This can be more daunting to foster children than you’d expect. It’s much harder for a child to settle in when there’s  family already present. The feeling of not wanting to get in the way but also wanting to be very included. Weather its with your immediate family,  your extended family or even your friends. Inclusion for the foster child will allow them to settle in easier as they feel a part of something.

4.     Independence. Giving your foster child their own independence is one of the most valuable gifts you can give a foster child. This independence of course is based on the child’s age and ability of independence. The younger they are could mean independence is allowing them to chose they’re own clothes or make their own breakfast. The older the child could mean independence in the form of keeping in touch with friends etc. or even a part time job!

5.     Love! This is what foster parents are already experts at, showing love to your new foster child helps them settle in and build trust. The Beatles reminded us, “All you need is LOVE” (queue trumpet instrumental). The love and care these children receive from Foster Parents has such a massive impact on the future of that child. Having a safe and secure environment for however long it may be can have great significance in the same child’s vision and growth on their future.            

Here are the 10 most important things for Foster children to understand.

1.     Change. From a young age these kids have experienced constant change or a sudden change in their home life. Understanding that change has happened and will happen again allows acceptance. Not acceptance of their circumstance but acceptance of understanding the change.

2.     Respect. It is very important to remember to respect your surroundings and the people in it. Your foster parents may not be your ideal first choice of a temporary home, but they still deserve respect. Using your manners and respecting they’re home life and rules will make your new home so much more comfortable and easier to live in.

3.    Chance. Understanding the chance your being given. It’s very difficult to look at being in foster care as being given a chance in life, it feels more like a punishment out of your control. Yet that’s exactly what it is a second chance, so to understand the opportunity can help you achieve anything you want! Like a fairy godmother has swished her magic wand.

4.     Adapt. Being able to adapt to your surroundings is a skill that I think comes naturally to foster children. Understanding how important adaptability is, not only ensures the foster child will settle into their new home easily but also that they can allow themselves to enjoy being around they’re new family and friends.

5.     Smile. Smiling doesn’t make everything better again, but people are rarely still upset or angry while they are smiling. Smiling creates positivity and positivity is how foster children go on to do great things. Who doesn’t love a good ear to ear smile?  Show off those beautiful smiles!

That’s why we need to celebrate the unbelievable work and generosity of Foster parents. For all the hugs, for all the family activities, but mostly for their open arms. Without these amazing volunteers an the opportunities they have given the children of Australia. Here at Jazzy Photography we applaud show gratitude to these parents not only for this month but for the other 11 months they continue to help our children in need. Its reported most children in the acre system are repeat visitors to foster homes. It’s because of FOSTER Parents that’s these children are welcomed into a home whenever they need it, whether it be for a week, a month or a more permanent arrangement.

After the ups and downs of 2020 it is estimated the current figures of children in care will be on the rise again. These same foster parents and the new volunteers will be the ones to ensure safety and a loving home for those who need it for short term or long-term basis.

To find out more information about the work Foster Parents do and how you can help, visit raisingchildren.net.au

This website isn’t just for Foster parents, it’s for all parents.