This month, Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins sent a pastoral letter to all parishioners, asking each to “seriously consider fostering”. He wrote
At any given time, there are more than 1,100 children and youth in care who are not able to live with their parents…
Sadly, there are not enough foster homes to accommodate these children in the Greater Toronto Area.
I strongly believe that more Catholic families would be open to caring for foster children if they were aware of the urgent need for foster homes.
Read the entire letter. (It’s a one page PDF)
I admit I am touched by this. But I am not sure if fostering is something for me and my family right now. More prayer is required.
What do Catholic Dads think about fostering? Who should consider it?
I know many of us at Catholic Dads are parents of three, four, five, or more kids already. (We just welcomed #5 last month.) What about those of us with large families?
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My wife and I took in 3 kids for 2 years (they just went back to their mom in June) and it was a great experience, although it is certainly hard. Kudos to the archbishop for making such a clear and compassionate plea. Although I live in the NWT, not Toronto, the need is the same here.
Regarding large families, while this does pose certain problems at certain times, it also creates opportunities, since large families develop many resources to deal with children, ranging from mental and spiritual resources, to physical resources such as a van and large house with many beds.
I don't really suggest taking in foster kids if you already have lots of kids, unless you are extremely good at discipline and routine. I'm not. Foster kids need a lot of attention and oversight, even if they don't have outright behavioral disorders. Your own kids have had years to develop self-control, study skills, limits, etc… which most foster children do not have. A couple could, however, wait until some of their kids start moving out, before taking in foster children or adopting.
Also, I think a couple could choose to have fewer children in order to give themselves more to fostering and adopting. There certainly is nothing intrinsically wrong with choosing to have a smaller biological family if done for the right reasons.
Lastly, between dealing with the kids, the biological parents and the social workers, you will master the virtue of patience, in both the classical and modern sense!