Five Common Myths About Foster Parenting

Have you considered becoming a foster parent in PA but been turned off to the idea by commonly held misconceptions? Many potential foster parents come across the foster system’s myths and horror stories and assume that fostering is simply not in their stars. Don’t let commonly held misconceptions determine whether or not you decide to become a foster parent. Review the myths below, and ask yourself what you believe.

Five Common Misconceptions About Foster Parenting

All foster parents are married couples.

Some potential foster parents assume that they are not allowed to foster because they are single, but this is simply not true. A potential foster parent only needs to be more than 21 years of age and healthy. Before fostering, all parents must visit a licensed physician in order to prove they have no diseases they could pass on to their foster children and that they are physically capable of caring for children.

All foster parents have their own natural children.

It might seem intuitive that foster parents need experience with parenting, such as raising their own children, but there are many effective foster parents who do not have any natural children. To become a single foster parent, you must prove that you are a responsible person willing to learn the parenting skills you may or may not already have.

All foster parents are wealthy.

While all foster parents must be financially responsible and stable, they do not need to be wealthy. They don’t, in fact, even need to own their own homes. These foster parents must follow strict guidelines as to how many children they are allowed to foster based on the amount of bedrooms and the ages and sexes of the children.

My kids are grown, so I’m too old to be a foster parent.

If your own children have grown up and left the nest, it doesn’t mean you won’t be a fantastic foster parent to a child in need. Empty nesters make excellent foster parents. After all, they’ve done this whole parenting thing before. Why not spend your retirement providing a happy, loving home for a foster child?  

I won’t have any say in who I foster.

Many potential foster parents decide not to pursue fostering because they believe they won’t get any say on the children they foster. This is not the case. Firstly, foster parents can always decline a placement if the timing is inconvenient or for other reasons, and this won’t harm their chances of getting future placements. You’ll likely get to specify a preferred age and sex of your foster child, especially if you’re trying to effectively integrate a foster child into an already large and diverse family.

If you want to become a foster parent in PA, don’t let these commonly held misconceptions about foster parenting turn you off to the idea. Joining the foster care community is a rewarding experience. Contact Family Care For Children & Youth to learn more and get all of your questions answered, or visit us at one of our Pennsylvania locations.