Being A Foster Parent

Being a foster parent requires a different state of mind than what it takes to be an adoptive parent. While the two certainly require the basics of parenting and involve the raising of and caring for a child who is not biologically related to them, foster parents must accept that a foster child is not waiting nor usually available for adoption. Their stay in foster care can range from a few months to over two years, depending on the end-goal the state agency has in mind for the child. Over half of the 400,000 children in foster care are waiting to be reunited with their biological families. These children need homes that are temporary yet can provide a stable environment in the interim of returning to the care of their biological parents.

To become a foster parent, one must be over the age of 21. Foster parents must also pass a home study, home inspection and personal interview. The state may also require various background checks, asses the stability of one's home, require letters of reference to the foster parent's character as well as training classes to license someone into the foster caretaker system.

Being a foster parent can also lead to someone being an adoptive parent if he or she so chooses. If a foster child's parents have their rights involuntarily terminated by the courts, then the child will be available for adoption and the foster parents can opt to adopt the child. In these cases, fostering the child can give the family and future adoptee a chance to adapt to one another and decide if adoption is the perfect choice for them.