Fostering after adoption

[Eightsky]

Hi All newbie group member.
We are consider fostering, we do have an adopted teenage child who has been home with us since quite young. We haven’t been without issues but they are an integral part of the family and loved unconditionally. Because of this we have learnt a skill set that we believe would support foster children. Has anyone else done this and how have they found it? Thanks

How does your teenager feel about you fostering, Eightsky? It's very important that she or he is on board with this, it will affect her and she may not want to share you.

Are you thinking of long or short term fostering?

Thanks Jessstan2, teenager is onboard and we did consider fostering a couple of years back but they didn’t feel ready and now they do. However they are my main priority and you mention ‘will affect them’ and that’s a risk we have to consider as a family.

Long term!

My DM and DF have done this adopted 3 and fostered for many moons now. Us kids are all grown up now. And although we were on board as youngsters it came with a lot of trials and tribulations. But it is very rewarding and we wouldn’t change it for the world. And it’s such an amazing thing to do.

MuddlingAlong1234

Thank you for taking the time to respond. We feel positive we can offer so much and have tentatively approached the LA who have said we can continue to work etc, we just have to weigh up the costs on our family life.

It’s amazing you doing this. So many children/ young people need stable support and a stable
Living environment. I hope it all goes well for you.
If my current situation was different it would be something I’d definitely consider. 😊

sounds like you have a lot to offer and would be a great foster carer. I'm not an adopter, but one of main differences would be in terms of contact with birth family. Our FD has quite a good relationship with her birth family. It's worth preparing your AC for that.

We began fostering where the youngest of our four adopted children was 16. The children (well adults now) were always completely supportive and in fact really helpful in the fact they understood so many of the foster children's issues. When problems have arisen very often the foster children have turned to one of the older ones. And even when some fostering placements broke down, the older ones always understood. Our adult son who has autism and still lives at home has had no problems with it either. No issues regarding this at all. I have never been aware of any negative sides to having older adopted children at all, the opposite in fact..

Gospelsinger and AcrosstheBrooklynbridge thank you both for your knowledge, insight and words of support!