Counseling for Foster Parents
Fostering is hard.
You don’t know if you can keep fostering. Your work and family are suffering. Much of what you deal with as a foster parent was never addressed in your initial training.
The foster system beats you down. You are tired from trauma. You are neck deep in tears or bliss when a child leaves your home. Something has to give.
I get it.
I am a foster mom. We have dearly loved every child in our home, but many days I want to quit. I tell myself, “It’s too gut-wrenching to say goodbye. The system that is suppose to protect these kids hurts them. Are we making a difference?” Caring for these dear kids takes a toll.
Do you experience this a foster parent?
Depression.
Has being a foster parent increased your depression? Or you’ve never been depressed but now you are. Many things in foster care make it a challenge to stay positive.
Anxiety.
You already struggled with anxiety, but foster care increases your anxiety. Then foster children who come into care with their own anxiety. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Grief.
So much grief in foster care. We often talk about the foster child’s grief and that is true. But we forget about the layers of grief that happen for the foster parent.
Burn Out.
Cancelled parent visits. Foster care paperwork. Doctor appointment after doctor appointment. Add to that your job and caring for your other kids. You cannot juggle it all.
Relationship Struggles.
You give so much to these kids and help their trauma that you don’t have much else left for your partner, your biological kids, or your friends.
Anger.
Anger at the kids. Anger at yourself for getting angry at these kids who are hurting. Anger at your partner. The list keeps going. Foster care can show us our anger.
“My family was formed because of brokenness. But as a family we get to show people the kind of beauty God can make out of brokenness.”
— K. Faith Morgan
Take care of you to take care of your kids.
Talk with a counselor who knows foster care. We can create a self-care plan and process your losses to avoid burn out or becoming bitter. Enjoy fostering again, and know you are not alone.
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