For me, the first thing that comes to mind is how protective I feel of my wife, especially when we look after older boys.
As a dad of older children myself, one of the hardest parts has been realising that we can’t care for children in placement in the same way we did with our own.
Discipline, boundaries, and house rules all must be approached differently, and that takes some adjustment.
Because I work full time, I rely heavily on my wife to carry the day-to-day workload. I do worry when I’m not there, but I also see how dedicated she is.
It can be hard for her to switch off, but fostering is something she’s genuinely passionate about.
She puts 100% into making the house a safe and supportive home for every child who comes through the door.
What I personally find toughest is hearing what some of these young people have been through before arriving with us.
It’s heartbreaking, and sometimes I struggle to keep my emotions in check, but I know supporting them through it is a key part of the role.
We might have different opinions on how to handle certain situations, but because she’s there 24/7 and sees everything in real time, I tend to follow her lead.
In a way, I have it easier. The most tiring part for me is how many weekends we spend doing respite care, because it can be exhausting.
But the way I see it, if we can make life even a little better for the children and their careers, then it’s all worth it.
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