Why are busy professional parents not wanted as foster parents?

[Anonymous]

I've started the application to be in foster parent, and the agency was clear that they'd love to have me and that the fact that I worked full time wasn't an issue.

I've also taught many kids in foster care. Other than kids in therapeutic placements, I've only ever had one pair of siblings whose foster parent stayed home.

Foster agencies in DC do require that the child be either with you, with another adult who has passed their background check (which can take a couple months) or at a licensed daycare or home daycare. Nannies are problematic because you'll need childcare while they go through the background check, and then you're up a creek if they quit or get sick, but daycare is fine.

In DC you get a childcare voucher, and childcare vouchers can only be used at daycares that accept subsidy. You can pay for another placement, or a nanny (if you can figure out the background check thing), but it'll come out of your pocket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've started the application to be in foster parent, and the agency was clear that they'd love to have me and that the fact that I worked full time wasn't an issue.

I've also taught many kids in foster care. Other than kids in therapeutic placements, I've only ever had one pair of siblings whose foster parent stayed home.

Foster agencies in DC do require that the child be either with you, with another adult who has passed their background check (which can take a couple months) or at a licensed daycare or home daycare. Nannies are problematic because you'll need childcare while they go through the background check, and then you're up a creek if they quit or get sick, but daycare is fine.

In DC you get a childcare voucher, and childcare vouchers can only be used at daycares that accept subsidy. You can pay for another placement, or a nanny (if you can figure out the background check thing), but it'll come out of your pocket.

Awesome! How do you make it work-- do you have flexible hours?

[Anonymous]

Then it is unlikely that these kids will be adopted by wealthy families. I have seen some real loser foster moms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's because of all the time commitments. You might have, say, birth parent visitation twice a week. Birth extended family visits monthly and for holidays. Maintaining relationships with birth siblings in different living situations. Court sometimes, which often requires waiting around all day. Sometimes you have a lawyer and you have to meet with the lawyer. Whatever medical problems the kid has, plus early intervention stuff like speech therapy. Being home for caseworker visits at the appointed time. Catching up on missed dentist, eye doctor, etc. A nanny can do a lot of this stuff, but for much of it, the parent must be present. And much of it happens during the week.

I don't want to put anyone off it, because fostering is a wonderful thing. But it's important to be realistic about the logistics. I look forward to fostering if I take early retirement.

FYI - it's really the agency's responsibility to arrange AND transport the kids to appointments. It's just easier if the foster parent does it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Then it is unlikely that these kids will be adopted by wealthy families. I have seen some real loser foster moms.

oh have you??? In this area???
I find this statement extraordinarily offensive. I am a local foster parent. I don't know any 'loser foster moms.' All of them are extraordinarily committed, hardworking, love the children in their home.
Also- I think the OP is simply mistaken. I am unaware of a single local jurisdiction that asks for a stay at home foster parent-- 90% of the foster parents from my county are either 2 parent working families or single parent working families. They certainly are not unemployed or underemployed as a slur up thread suggested.

[Anonymous]

Prospective foster parent here, I try to ignore the sentiment that says that my successful job cannot accommodate the rigors of being a successful foster parent.

I have successfully ignored those folks that say I cannot have a successful job and be a great single mom.

Since my heart is open to fostering, I try to keep my mind open too!

P.S. And yes, I have experience juggling the job with weekly doctors appointments, weekly multiple therapists and a host of other challenges.