DEAR READER: I can’t really give you a definitive answer to the first question, since it really depends upon you and your family’s lifestyle, family goals and level of long-term commitment. However, I can give you some information that will help you determine which is best for your family and the children who need both foster care and permanent adoption.
If your family has a desire to help a child who is in need right now, a child who will more than likely be able to return to their home at some point in the next year or two, then foster care meets that need best for your family and the foster child.
It allows you and your family the opportunity to help someone else, which is as much a blessing to the family as it is to the child in care, while also affording your family the opportunity to decline future care requests in the event circumstances in your family change and/or foster care does not work for your family.
If you think your family is really committed to bringing a child into your home on a more permanent basis, and you are confident that you understand all the ramifications of adding a new family member to your home and how that will impact your children, spouse, relatives, finances . . . then adoption would seem the better adoption.
An important point to remember is this: children needing a home (be it foster or adoption) are most in need of adults who are going to stick to their commitment about fostering or adopting them.
DEAR JAN: Will my family have to make changes in our food diet to accommodate a foster child?
DEAR READER: Great question! And surprisingly, one I get quite often. Some foster families are very flexible about mealtimes and what they allow their own children to request for dinner, etc. Some foster families have set mealtimes and prepare menus a week in advance, with the mother making menu choices for the entire family.
If you are approved as a foster parent, we will feel confident in your abilities — and your willingness — to accommodate any legitimate diet changes needed, like when a child has a food allergy. But, we will not ask/expect you to cater to the food whims of a foster child any more than you would your own child(ren).
Jan Morris is the TREK program developer/recruiter/trainer for 12 Georgia counties. Interested foster parent applicants can reach her at (706) 217-6819 or (423) 208-1259.
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