Children in foster families in Merthyr play a huge role in welcoming a foster child into their home. Their kind hearts, gratitude for their own family and sense of fun can really make the biggest difference for a child moving somewhere new.
Some families hesitate to foster because they aren’t sure of the impact it may have on their own children. However, the children of our foster carers in Merthyr tell us how it’s opened their hearts and made them feel proud.
How did you feel before becoming a foster family?
Harry – I was excited because I would have lots of people to play with. I told my whole class when the fostering team said we could be a helper family. I was proud to tell my class what a foster family is and what we do.
Alfie – i was excited and a little bit nervous
Jack- i was ok as i was used to seeing foster children within the family due to both side grandparents being foster carers.
Nell – I was excited because I have always wanted more siblings.
How do you feel about being part of a foster family?
Laila Freya and Rhys – We think it’s a good thing to be part of, it makes us feel proud that we could make a difference to another child.
Harry – I feel good about it because I like helping people.
Alfie- I feel very proud to help other children feel safe
Jack- It is lovely to see the children progress over the times that they have spent with us before moving on.
Nell – It just feels like our normal family with an extra person in it.
How do you welcome a foster child into your home and family?
Laila Freya and Rhys – We like to show them around the house so they know where things are, like where the snacks and drinks are and where the toys are kept.
Harry – When they first come to our house and mammy is talking to all of the grown ups I show them around our house. I start with their bedroom and then show them all of our toys that they can play with and our snack drawer.
Alfie- I let them share my toys and watch tv programmes with me.
Jack- With the children we have had previously they have been boys so they like football so I always spend time on the grass with the football making them feel at ease or ask them what they enjoy to do, where I will speak to them about their hobbies / interests.
Nell – I spend more time downstairs with my family rather than in my bedroom and try chatting to them and sitting with them to watch tv.
What’s the best thing about fostering?
Laila Freya and Rhys – We love keeping in touch with them and seeing them growing up, they are like little brothers and sisters to us.
Harry – I love showing and helping the children to learn new things like brushing our teeth together or learning numbers. I also like reading stories to them.
Alfie – Always having someone to play with.
Jack- Knowing they are in a safe, warm, caring space in a family environment who can show them love.
Nell – I like involving children in just the simple things we normally do like playing a game, watching a movie or just sitting around talking and joking with each other.
How does it make you feel to know that you are helping other children?
Harry – It makes me feel lucky and very important.
Alfie- Proud and helpful
Jack- Very proud to be a good part of their life journey. Creating happy memories that hopefully will be looked back on as positive when they grow up.
Nell – I don’t feel like I’m doing anything special it’s just how I treat everyone and how everyone deserves to be treated.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about how you feel about fostering?
Laila Freya and Rhys – We’re think fostering is good but it has been hard sometimes, it’s a lot of change and we have to share mam and dad and eventually have to say goodbye to the children which is the hardest part.
Harry – I think it’s important to have more grown ups to help keep children safe and healthy. I love fostering and meeting lots of new friends.
Nell – For anyone thinking about fostering I would recommend it. It is rewarding and nice to think that you might be making a small difference and it makes you realise how lucky you are.
As a foster carer, how have your own children adapted to being in a foster family?
Sarah – I think Harry has coped extremely well, I was a bit worried at first about being a single mum and how Harry would find sharing everything from his mum to his home and space. Harry was meant for fostering he is so kind and caring and loves having the company. When we don’t have any placements he misses the busy house.
Rob Howells – from our point of view the have adapted really well, it is something that as come quite naturally due to both of our parents being foster carers, it’s always been something we have said we were wanting to do in the future, which we waited until the right time for us all, the age of the child placed are a definite factor for us as when we have had babies and younger children they seem to have fitted better in to our home than children older than our youngest son who is 9.
Jo / James – They have obviously been part of the journey from the start and involved in all the decisions. Through meeting with our social worker they have learnt along the way how they have needed to adapt small things in their daily routines to fit in with looking after a fostered young person. They have taken it in their stride and have made us proud at how well they have welcomed a young person into our home.
As a foster carer, what are you most proud of about your child’s involvement in fostering?
Leanne – We’re really proud of the children, it’s been difficult sometimes to share us as parents but they have adapted really well and even teach us a thing or two at times.
Sarah – I love watching Harry interacting with the children, he is very nurturing and loves helping the children settle into new routines and learning new skills. He really understands how many of the children that live with us aren’t as lucky as he’s been and that they have missed out on lots of things because of this.
Rob – Their ability to welcome a child at such short notice, and the caring and kindness they show, and almost just get on with day to day life like it is the norm.
Jo / James – We are most proud that this wasn’t just something we wanted to do, they wanted to do it too. They love having young children around and being part of the bustle. They never complain and it is endearing to see how they give a lovely welcome when a young person comes into our home.
Discover how fostering can help your whole family grow
Take a look on our website, or contact us here to begin your local authority fostering journey with Foster Wales Merthyr.
If you reside outside of Merthyr and are interested in fostering with your local authority elsewhere in Wales, please visit the Foster Wales website
