Welcome back to another episode of our Journey of Hearts series, where we delve deep into the experiences and insights of some of our dedicated foster carers. Today, we are privileged to share Erin’s profound reflections on the enduring impact of fostering teenagers, a journey marked by patience, commitment, and the therapeutic power of time.
Erin emphasises the importance of acknowledging the struggles and traumas that many teenagers in care may have faced prior to being placed into a home with a foster carer. She advises against expecting immediate trust and happiness from them, as their past experiences have often taught them to rely solely on themselves.
"Just because you've walked into their lives doesn't mean they're suddenly going to trust you, especially when they've been so badly let down in the past."
Erin believes in the healing power of time, a crucial element in helping teenagers overcome their past traumas and start trusting again. She stresses the importance of consistently maintaining boundaries, keeping promises, and providing positive experiences, even if these new practices are sometimes met with rejection.
Erin shares her belief in the positive change and long-lasting impact of fostering. By teaching teenagers essential life skills and providing them with a stable environment, foster carers can significantly influence the direction of not only the lives of those in their care, but also the lives of those who know the children in care.
Erin’s journey is a testament to the ripple effect of fostering, where creating a safe and stable environment can lead to profound transformations, not just for the child in care but also for the foster carer and the broader community.
Erin’s insights underscore the immense and enduring impact foster carers can have on teenagers in care. Her journey illustrates the transformative power of patience, commitment, and love, emphasizing that the ripples created by fostering can extend far beyond the immediate moment, echoing into eternity.
Would you like to be a force for positive change in a child's life, like Erin? Start your fostering journey by filling out our application form or connect with our team at Origins Foster Care to learn more about the impact you can make.
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
