Becoming a foster parent is an enormous responsibility

Choosing to care for children in the foster care system is special privilege and responsibility that very few individuals ever experience, despite the great need for more foster families throughout California and the country as a whole. If you believe that serving as foster parents with your significant other or as a single person may be a good fit, you should make sure that you fully understand the requirements you must meet and the difficulties you may face.

You may choose to offer a foster home to several children at a time, and children may cycle in and out of your home over time. Sometimes, a child is only in the foster system for a short while, while others spend the majority of their childhood in foster care. Similarly, you may have an existing relationship with a child and wish to give him or her a good home where his or her biological parents cannot or will not do so.

Realistically, no foster home is perfect, but it is important that you understand the responsibilities you face when giving a home for children in foster care. Some foster parents cause trouble for themselves by insisting that children who live in their home participate in certain religious practices, for instance.

Don’t let some legal misunderstanding complicate your ability to provide a loving home to a child who needs it. No matter where you are on your foster journey, it’s always a good time to consult with an experienced family law attorney to make sure that you fully understand how to protect your rights and your privileges while providing a good home to children who need thoughtful love and care.

Source: Findlaw, “Types of Foster Care: Group Homes and Kinship Care,” accessed Dec. 06, 2017