A common misconception about fostering, that a lot of people believe, is that fostering is only for children who are not living with their birth parents. It may seem so that way, given the amount of children in that situation, but the truth is foster care also helps children of families in a tight spot. Even more, foster care can be used to help siblings and other family members who have been removed from their homes by the state or county due to abuse or neglect issues.
There are many benefits of fostering siblings together, that are both significant for you and the children.When you choose to foster siblings, you give them a better opportunity to thrive together as a result of having each other in their lives.
Are you are considering fostering siblings? If so, follow along in this article to learn more about how doing it can impact them positively!
What is fostering siblings?
Fostering siblings is a way to keep siblings together in foster care. It’s also a great way for parents who have been separated from their children by the child welfare system to keep their family together while they work on getting back on their feet and can take steps toward reunification with their kids.
Foster parents can foster siblings either together or separately, depending on what works best for them and their family situation. For example:
- A single foster parent may choose to take in two siblings at the same time so the foster parent doesn’t have to worry about splitting up the family again, especially if one child needs placement elsewhere after being in the home for a period of time
- Two married couples could each take one child from an identified group of three siblings in order to maintain the sibling bond and allow for easier visitation (e.g., two boys in one home and one girl in another home)
A sibling is a best friend.
Siblings are a special kind of friend. They have each other’s backs, and they know each other in a way that no one else can.
Siblings can often become the best of friends because they share a special bond that goes beyond the typical parent-child relationship. Since they have grown up together, they’ve developed a unique understanding of each other that only siblings can have. They have a sort of shorthand way of communicating with each other, which allows them to understand one another, and oftentimes without even speaking.
Foster parents may discover that children who are biological siblings may not want you to hear what they are saying when talking with their sibling; this closeness is exactly what makes them such good friends!
Why is it important to keep siblings together?
If siblings are living in the same home, it is more likely they will be adopted together, and while in foster care, they will usually remain together if placed in the same foster care home. Siblings have the ability to help each other adjust to a new home and deal with the trauma of being separated from their parents.
Sibling relationships have been shown to be very important for children’s emotional development, especially during early childhood. Children who have siblings tend to have higher self-esteem, better social skills, and more positive attitudes toward school than those without siblings (Kagan & Snidman, 2007). Below, we’ll show you a few of the benefits of fostering siblings.
Benefits of fostering siblings
Siblings help each other grow and develop.
- Siblings help each other grow and develop.
- Siblings can help each other learn how to manage their emotions.
- Siblings can help each other learn how to solve problems.
- Siblings can help each other learn how to be more independent.
Siblings can be a positive influence in each other’s lives.
- Siblings are more likely to be supportive of each other.
- Siblings can help each other with schoolwork.
- Siblings can help each other with chores.
- Siblings can help each other with homework and social skills, too!
Requirements to be approved to foster siblings
To be approved to foster siblings, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have a stable home that can provide a safe and loving environment for children.
- Have a car and driver’s license (or be willing to get one).
Fostering siblings together makes them more likely to stay together.
The best way to keep siblings together is by accepting the sibling group and fostering them together in the same foster family. This means you will need a big enough home and enough time to do it right. But if you have space, energy, and commitment, then this option can be amazing for kids who may have been separated from their brothers or sisters.
Another benefit to keeping siblings together is they can attend the same school district so they can continue attending classes without having to switch schools every few months. And finally, if at all possible, try to keep them living in the same community where they already know people–even if it’s just one friend!
What if we don’t have the ability to foster a sibling group? What will happen to the other siblings?
If you don’t have the ability to foster a sibling group, what will happen to the other siblings?
The answer is: It depends. There are many factors that come into play when determining whether or not siblings should be placed together. Some of these include:
- Whether or not there is an adoption plan for each child in the family
- Whether or not there are more than two children and, if so, how old they are (older children may be able to understand that they won’t be living in the same home and, as a result, not see each other as much)
- What types of behaviors were exhibited by each child before entering care – if one was violent towards their sibling(s), then there may be no option but to separate them
Foster siblings should have the opportunity to interact with their birth families
When a child is adopted, they might want to learn more about their birth family, especially if they were adopted as infants or very young children. As an adoptive parent, it’s crucial that you provide your foster siblings with the chance to have similar experiences with their birth families if allowed by Protective Services and the court. This means ensuring your foster children have access to their biological parents and other relatives who are part of their family unit. Additionally, you should try to enable your foster children’s contact with their extended family members whenever possible.
How can we help siblings stay connected if they are not placed together?
It can be difficult for siblings to stay connected if they are placed in different homes. It’s important for those working in the foster care system to make efforts to help siblings stay in touch with each other, whether it’s through visits or phone calls.
If you are a foster parent of two or more children who have been separated due to foster care placement, here are some suggestions on how you can make sure your kids stay connected:
- If allowed, encourage regular contact with the siblings either by phone or email (or both). This will help the children feel less alone and give them an opportunity to talk about their feelings and experiences.
- Consider hosting joint birthday parties every year so everyone gets together at once! This is a great way for younger siblings who don’t remember much about their older ones, yet they still want their attention, too.
Keeping siblings together in foster care
If you’re looking to foster a sibling group, there are a few things you can do to help them stay connected while they’re apart.
- Keep in mind that siblings in foster care need support and guidance from their parents or guardians as much as any other child does. If the parents aren’t able or willing to provide this support, then it is important that someone else does. There may be another family member who can step in temporarily as a kinship carer until more permanent arrangements can be made or someone from outside of their immediate family unit who knows what is best for them (like an aunt or other adult relative).
- Foster parents should always keep in mind that some children may feel guilty about being separated from their brothers and sisters. It is important to be mindful of this so things aren’t harder on them and the children are not constantly being reminded of home and everything they have left behind. Foster parents can help children focus on the positives in their new living situation, such as making new friends, learning new skills, participating in new activities, and having new experiences, rather than focusing on what has been lost through separation.
Are you suited to fostering siblings?
If you are considering fostering siblings, it is important to be aware of the challenges that may arise. You need to have a positive attitude and the right skills in order for your fostering experience to be successful.
If you are thinking about fostering siblings, there are some things that will help you prepare:
- Be prepared for change! Your life and schedule can change dramatically when two or more children move into your home at once. It can take some time before everyone adjusts, but it will be worth it!
- Understand why children need foster carers like yourself – this will help motivate them and help them make it through difficult times.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many benefits to fostering siblings. The most important thing is that both the children and the parents are happy with the arrangement. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent and want more information about this process, contact your local child welfare agency today!
Leon Joseph Smith is the founder and CEO of Therapeutic Family Life, a child-placing and adoption agency with 30 years of experience. With licenses and certificates including LPC, LMFT, LCDC, BCIA, CCDS, and SOTP, Leon brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He has a strong background in counseling, having served children and adolescents with severe emotional and mental disabilities. Leon's focus has always been on providing a "win-win" situation for everyone involved, ensuring the emotional stability of foster children, the expertise of caregivers, and compliance with state regulations. His compassionate approach has been the cornerstone of Therapeutic Family Life's success.About This Author
Leon Smith
