There are some things you should know about what to say and What Not to Say to a Foster Parent.
I have technically been a foster parent for almost 8 years, but having had only 3 babies come through my home, I don’t consider myself an ‘experienced foster parent’.
However, I do know a few things.
Table of Contents
What Not to Say to a Foster Parent
“Don’t you just want to keep them forever?”
I hate this question because there is no ‘good’ way for a foster parent to answer it.
“Nope” makes one sound cruel and heartless.
Sometimes there is a fit and sometimes there isn’t.
This is not the fault of the child, or the foster home.
It’s just the way it is. But who is actually going to say it?
No one. “Of course I want to keep them forever” only elicits one response “awe, that is going to be so hard”.
More often than not, it is not the foster parent’s decision whether or not a child stays or goes.
It lays in the hand of the social worker or judge.
“Isn’t it going to be so hard when they leave?”
To this one I have a very similar response to #1.
In addition, to the responses above I will say, yes, it will be hard.
Why dwell on it now?
For now, I am going to enjoy the child we have (or in my case, the ‘borrowed baby’), I will be sad when they go, and will deal with that when it comes.
Talking about it now with a foster parent does not make it any easier.
“What’s the story with the parents?”
This question I get way more often than you may think.
People do not say it with any ill-intent.
Even complete strangers ask this question.
Humans are curious by nature, some more than others.
This information is confidential, and should be made available on a need to know basis.
If there is a concern that caregivers or teachers should know about, then that information should be shared, but for the most part, it should remain confidential.
“Is there anything wrong with the child?”
Again, this is confidential and it would not be fair to the child to go around sharing their personal information with strangers.
There are certain circumstances that this information needs to be passed on by the foster parent, but generally, we need to respect the privacy of the child.
“Let me adopt them!”
This is not the worst thing to say, but I still want to mention it.
I have babies in my home, and one day, yes, they might need adoptive homes.
For now, for whatever reason, they are not up for adoption.
Even if they were up for adoption, I don’t have a say in who gets them.
I strongly encourage people to apply to become an adoptive family.
There are many children waiting to be adopted (in BC, you can learn about adopting BC’s Waiting Children here).
As an adoptive parent, I can tell you it is a very rewarding opportunity.
“Is it hard to become a foster parent?”
This can be taken a few ways.
For this scenario, I am going to take it as related to the application process.
Again, this isn’t really a bad thing to ask, but I love the idea of sharing this answer with as many people as possible.
There is a LOT of paperwork, interviews and educational courses involved in the process of becoming foster homes.
For this, I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL!
I want all children to be safe and thorough screening is important to ensure that this happens.
For detailed instructions on the application process, I encourage you to head to your local Ministry of Children’s and Family Development or Social Services Website.
You can also learn more about becoming a foster parent and how difficult it is in some aspects by reading books available about foster parenting.
I appreciate you taking the time to learn a little about fostering.
I hope that this post provides you information on ‘foster etiquette’.
As a foster parent, while these questions are often not easy to answer or even unwelcome, we do appreciate your care and concern for our children.
Please also read and share my post on “What Not To Say To An Adoptive Parent” and “Memorial Slideshow: How to Create a Tribute Video“.
I would love to hear from any foster parents out there!
Feel free to comment and share your thoughts on this post!
Bummer that you get so many weird questions. I’ve only run across one foster parent, they asked me in a store about clothing (I was shopping)– the child didn’t have any clothes and she wasn’t sure how long she’d have the child. She was trying to work within her budget and not harm her own kids, but still get seasonally appropriate clothes for the kid. I smiled and answered the question the best I could and then gave my own child a hug.
Some foster systems in some places are really challenging. Thanks for being so supportive!
next rule…….pls quit asking us a million questions (confidential stuff) in front of other people, including our kids.
We are long term foster parents, our FS has been with us 10 years this christmas & our 2nd FD has been with us since Dec 2012. I am asked often “why dont you adopt him” and I always because he is not able to be adopted….But after 10 years he is not going anywhere! Great post, thanks for sharing ! Great to connect with other foster parents!
Thanks for sharing your story. We have many thoughts regarding our FD and plans for the future, for now, we will just love her…. Please also read our adoption post: https://totsfamily.com/what-not-to-say-to-an-adoptive-parent/
I love when people ask if I foster for the money…I just laugh!
Ya, if only they understood. I recently had one woman in my life say to my mom ‘oh I guess she really needed some money’ when she heard I was fostering. Respect for that woman was dashed!
I I hate when people ask questions directly to the child. My most recent foster son is 10 and when I went to enroll him in school, the intake person asked him when he was taken from his home, if he was in special ed, and why he couldn’t stay with his family. He also threatened to call the authorities because I was missing one document that proved the child was supposed to be with me. I was so angry.
That is incredibly inconsiderate. I sometimes can’t believe that certain people get jobs within the education system.
We have a newborn fs right now. I find it strange and don’t know how to respond when people say “congratulations” we are thrilled to the moon we have this little guy, yes, but there is little congratulating in order. I realize they simply don’t know what to say, but for some reason feel they have to say something.
I would think the question, “are they all yours?” Would also be awkward. Of course they are yours… For now at least.