In Honor of May being National Foster Care Month, we would love to introduce you to some of the amazing Foster Parents we work with.
In September 2019, Jack and Andy became foster parents in Association House and welcomed two young children into their family. To celebrate #FosterCareMonth we asked them a to share a bit about their experience.
What has been your most rewarding experience as a foster parent?
Seeing how one year in a loving, caring, and stable home can have such a positive impact and change, in the children’s lives.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Dealing with the insurance and finding a provider that accepts the children’s insurance provided through the state. Multiple times we have had to find new providers because of changes in the state insurance.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a foster parent?
It is going to be a rollercoaster, but it is worth it. Get used to accepting the unexpected and remember that you are important as well. Take care of yourself when you need to. If you ask Association House what resources are available to you, they will often go over and beyond to help you and your family out. Dealing with the insurance and finding a provider that accepts the children’s insurance provided through the state. Multiple times we have had to find new providers because of changes in the state insurance.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a foster parent?
It is going to be a rollercoaster, but it is worth it. Get used to accepting the unexpected and remember that you are important as well. Take care of yourself when you need to. If you ask Association House what resources are available to you, they will often go over and beyond to help you and your family out.
April became a mom for the first time as a foster parent with Association House. She’s been at this just a short while, but she brings her whole heart to her family. In celebration of #FosterCareMonth, we asked her to share a bit about her experience.
What inspired you to become a foster parent?
What inspired me to be a foster parent was the desire to be a mother to someone who really needs that mother figure. Even though I know it could be temporary, I still feel like it is worth it to be that nurturing parent for however much time that child needs it. Helping that person become who he will become is a privilege for me.
What has been your most rewarding experience as a foster parent?
In my case, becoming a foster mom was becoming a mom for the first time and that had made this significant for me. I’ve always wanted to be a mom and foster parenting has given me that opportunity.
What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for me in fostering has been trying to not only co- parent but also figure out my parenting style in general because before I walked into this, I was a single person with no children. I’ve learned a lot.
What would you say to someone considering becoming a foster parent?
I thought about doing this for a really long time before I actually did it, and my one regret is not doing it sooner. I think fostering is hard but it’s very rewarding as well. You get to be a part of somebody’s story for however long they need you and that is a gift! You definitely have to be flexible and let go of your preconceived notions of what it’s going to look like but once you do that and you make it your goal to serve and love that child and his family you will be the better for it. If you have love to give why not give it?