Respite Care Providers

[VisionaryMom]

I would like to foster, but DH has some major concerns about it. In general, we're not absolutely certain we will be where we are now permanently, and we don't want to go into fostering with that possibility over our heads.

I am considering broaching the topic of providing respite care, however. I've only done a bit of reading, but my understanding is that we'd be providing care for anywhere from an afternoon to a weekend for children whose parents need it. Has anyone done this? Have any advice?

[lauren]

I haven't done respite myself but do know that some people feel like it is somewhat a good introduction to the children that are in "the system." Though it is important to keep in mind that many behavioral issues will not come out in respite because it is short term and doesn't require any closeness, whereas when foster children live with you, there are more challenges related to closeness and trust.

[minniemonster]

Respite

We just finished a respite placement for 10 days. 2 boys, ages 1 and 3. We also have 2 sons at home (3yo and grade 1). Boy was I tired! It was considerably longer than most, but it is a great way to get an intro to fostering, preparing your home, learning the terms/language of foster care and CPS, see your other children's reactions to the placements, and above all, I can see it as a great way to dip your toe in the water to see if foster care is right for you and your family. If you do end up moving, some of the documents can transfer (no need to do the class work over, fingerprint clearance, homestudy, etc.) It may reassure your DH as well.

Good luck with the decision.

[JoyFilled]

We do respite! Mainly weekends or weeks. Currently we have 4 kids for 2 weeks.

We fostered 3 siblings for a year and a half before they went home to their mother and we had our own baby in that time. We took about 6 months off. Then started doing respite which was basically not done in our community.

I find that the kids are really good while in our home. (Although we have had some money stolen.) And their foster parents are so relieved to have a small break. We have a lot of fun with the kids. Because it is just a short period of time we normally go all out when we have them - swimming, sliding, to the park, movies, pizza . . . I kind of think of our home as going to the cool "Aunt and Uncle's" house. On the other hand I find I don't sleep the first night new kids are in our home. But we are enjoying the time when it is just the 3 of us more.

I do have to be very clear that we only take kids with a start and finish dates.

[Polliwog]

My area doesn't licence people specific people for respite care since there are plenty already licensed foster parents who like to do respite "on the side." However, it sounds like you are considering doing respite for a birth family that is on the edge and needs support to prevent having their children removed (due to mental health, addiction, illness, etc.) In my area there are private organizations that provide respite care to children such cases. I know my son (and his sisters) had semi-regular respite before they were taken into care.