Thinking of fostering

meritaten

would you give up work to foster? would that affect your depression in a good or a bad way?
I think it is brilliant that you want to foster- but, you do need to think about the effect on yourself. I would echo what others say - find out as much as you can, go along to 'fostering roadshows' and chat informally to those in the know. also speak to other foster parents and get their take on fostering.
good luck

forgotmyname

What if the child comes from a troubled background and has issues themself,
Would you be strong enough mentally to support them?

jackie_w

Thank you everyone for your comments.

even though I suffer from depression I really do think I could make a difference to a child's life, I'm 100% sure of it.

my kids have never ever been affected with my depression, I know this because they are the same as they were before I got depressed, they are both happy, healthy and I'm proud to say well looked after and loved. I have so much love to give and I think if I just make a difference to one child the world will be a better place. Children are precious and unfortunately, some people don't realise what a special gift they are, they need to be treated with respect and shown how much they are worth. I won't pretend I'm the perfect parent because I'm not, there wil be times when I don't listen to my oldest, I make mistakes and regret what I've said or done, or about how I've handled a situation but then I'm only human and being a parent in any shape or form is something you are always learning about.

I really do hope my depression doesn't reject me from being a foster parent. I must say, the past week has been a busy week for me and yesterday I realised I hadn't taken my medication for nearly a week!!! I know I shouldn't come off the medication immediately but I actually feel fine however, I am looking out for any signs at all that I'm not coping. If I find that I'm struggling, I will go back on to them immediately.

I will be the first to admit if I'm not going to cope with being a foster parent. I come from a family where mY mum and dad were, in fact still are, alcoholics and hated my childhood and longed for a stable home life and envied my friends who had this. This is my one goal in life, to make sure my kids have what I didn't have, and if I can give that to another kid I will be very very happy.