Specialized Foster Parents:
Who Are They and Why Do They Stay?

Foster parents come in all ages and from many ethnic backgrounds. Some foster parents are married couples, while some are single parents. Most foster parents hold a full-time job. Some have children at home, some have grandchildren who regularly visit, some have grown children and feel their house is too quiet.

What do they all have in common? They want to make a difference in a child's life; they want to be part of the solution. Two of Lutheran Family Services' foster parents, Ruby and Pat, share their experiences:

Q: Why did you become a foster parent?

Ruby: I had only two children of my own and wanted more. When I spoke to an adoption agency worker, I was asked if I would consider becoming a foster parent for a year. That was in 1978, and I'm still a foster parent!

Pat: I was running a daycare facility and a pre-school program. Two of the children in my care were sisters ages 4 and 6. One day a police officer and social services worker arrived and removed the two girls from their mother. I wanted to help these little girls, and that's how I became a foster parent. This event happened eight years ago, and I have been a foster parent ever since.

Q: What keeps you continuing to be a foster parent?

Ruby: I enjoy the challenge of being a foster parent, of seeing foster children "who make it." Additionally, being a foster parent keeps me young!

Pat: I am single and my foster children provide me company. I am also very pleased to see my foster kids progress.

Q: Why have you stayed with Lutheran Family Services Specialized Foster Care Program?

Ruby: I tried Lutheran Family Services upon the recommendation of a friend. I stay because I enjoy working with the Foster Care staff.

Pat: I like the ease and convenience of completing the required continuing education hours through agency in-service course offerings. I also appreciate Lutheran Family Services' pay rate.

Q: What is the most stressful aspect of being a foster parent?

Ruby: I become discouraged when I work with a foster child for awhile and do not see results.

Pat: At times, I become frustrated with various professionals involved in my foster children's treatment when I observe them not giving 100%.

Q: Do you have any advice for people considering becoming foster parents?

Ruby: Make sure you ask a lot of questions.

Pat: You should prepare for how much it hurts when the foster children you become attached to need to leave your home. Also, your foster children will talk to you and you'll learn firsthand how badly they were treated or neglected by their biological parents. This can be disturbing.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of being a foster parent?

Ruby: The foster children are my family, as most of my relatives do not live in the U.S.

Pat: I enjoy my foster children's achievements. For example, one of my foster children initially hid her face and avoided talking to anyone. Later, she blossomed to the point where she could speak in public with confidence. I also enjoy when foster children stay in contact and maintain our relationship even when they are no longer in my care.

For more information about specialized foster care in Nebraska, please call us at (402) 661-7100.