I always knew I wanted to be a foster carer.
It wasn’t about a perfect moment — it was something in me. But when I finally took the plunge, I’ll be honest: the training scared me a bit. It made everything real. I started overthinking it all… buying everything I thought I might need, playing scenarios over and over in my head.
Then the call came. The one I’d been waiting for.
And just like that, all the training flew out of my head. I was nervous. Excited. Panicking. What if I did it wrong? What if I wasn’t enough?
But I said yes. And it changed my life.
Now, years later, I’ve welcomed many children into my home. I’m more relaxed, more grounded. But I still get butterflies before someone new arrives — will they be happy here? What can I do to help them feel safe, seen, and heard?
There’s one boy I’ll never forget. I got a call about him when I was still early in my fostering journey. He was about 11 or 12. I was told he’d been through a lot. I read his background and I panicked — he’s too much for me, I thought. I can’t do this. So I said no.
But the social worker rang me back and said, “You’re exactly what he needs. Just try.” So I did. I said yes — just for a week. Just until they could find someone else. Well, that “week” turned into a lifetime. He stayed. He became part of our family. He now has a family of his own, and I’m proud to say I’m a very happy foster granny.
You see, fostering isn’t always about having all the answers. Sometimes, it’s just about showing up with an open heart.
Sometimes a child might seem “ideal on paper” and it still doesn’t work.
And sometimes, you say yes to someone you’re unsure about… and they light up your life in ways you never expected. I always say, every child deserves someone who is crazy about them. Someone who goes the extra mile. If I can be that someone, even just for a while, then I’ve done something right.
Fostering has taught me more about myself than I ever expected. It’s given me a family that looks more like a village than anything traditional.
My home is rarely quiet, and Christmas is a beautiful kind of chaos — full of people, laughter, noise, and love. I never know exactly who will be at the dinner table, but I do know this: I’ll never be alone. And neither will they.
Fostering is a rollercoaster of emotions. There’s joy, excitement, frustration, guilt, growth, and tears. But there’s one thing I’ve never felt: regret.
Not for the yeses. Not for the late nights or the messy moments. Not for the goodbyes. Just gratitude.
✨ If you're thinking about fostering… You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a heart that’s open, a home that’s safe, and the courage to say yes.
Want to take the next step or find out more?
Learn more about General Fostering
Follow on Facebook and Instagram for stories, updates, and events
Inspired by this story? Let us know! We’d love to hear what resonated with you.