You may believe bringing up children as a single parent is hard and there is no doubt about it you will face additional pressures and challenges but couple that with being a single male when women are traditionally seen as the care-givers in society and you might just think why bother or I can’t foster children.
People may view you with suspicion when you are a man who has a devotion to caring for children and wrongly you may have the misconception that a single male can’t foster- well you would be wrong.
Every foster carer will have their own unique skills forged by their own experiences and abilities that they can utilise to enhance the outcomes for children within their care. Many young people and children that enter the care system will have come from single parent families and more often than not will have had no consistent positive male role model.
Read how you can make a difference just like Peter has.
Peter never chose to be a single male foster carer but demonstrated that he had a positive influence on the children in his care. Peter originally went through the assessment process with his ex-wife over eight years ago. He didn’t have his own children and at the outset his wife was the main carer. During their first placements Peter found that he had an ability to connect with some of the children in their care and became more and more involved, especially with some children that expressed difficult and challenging behaviours and attachment issues.
Following the break-up of his marriage, Peter decided to continue fostering alone and currently cares for two young people who nominated him for a prestigious award.
At the time Peter received his award he had in his care two teenagers. Both the teenagers were keen to express what he meant to them. JM was 15 and said: “Although I have only been with Peter for seven months, he has always put my interests first despite the challenges he has faced. Peter has never let his personal life effect the care he has shown despite tackling a stroke, divorce, building crisis and several heart attacks, he has remained committed to both of us. He has helped me to quit smoking which is really important as I’m having chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia.”
BJ aged 16 added: “Over the past three and a half years Peter has helped me to control my temper and keep to school and home rules. I know that I was very difficult to live with but with Peter’s help I am a calmer person.”
Peter fosters young people to give them the best future he possibly can he finds this rewarding and life changing for them, but also for him! Peter would recommend being a foster carer and while giving so much of himself to the role he has also taken so many positives from fostering and it has taught him never to be complacent, always be ready for anything and be adaptable.
So ask yourself Can you Foster- Can You Change Lives?
Peter is a fantastic example for single male foster carers who offer a genuine home to young people in real need. Everyday foster carers just like Peter make a positive difference to so many vulnerable children and young people and at times it is very difficult and challenging but with the independent, impartial and confidential support of Fosterline could you be the next Peter.
Fosterline has a simple message for you- “if fostering has ever crossed your mind just pick up the phone and speak to our qualified knowledgeable and above all friendly advisors, it may not be for you in the end but it costs nothing to find out”
Freephone Fosterline 0800 040 7675
Peter – Local Authority Foster Carer
Click here to access our eligibility to foster survey (only 11 tick box questions)
Don’t delay start the process today.