Did you know that there is a condition that is called ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’?
This occurs when your children have grown up and are at the point of spreading their wings and becoming independent. This can be that they are ready to leave home and move into a place of their own, go off to college or university.
When children leave the nest, it can be a difficult and disorienting experience and parents can experience strange feelings and for many parents this sudden shift from parenting children to an empty house can be difficult, some parents even report significant physical and psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
The benefits of fostering for Empty Nesters
Becoming a foster parent is an incredibly powerful way to combat empty nest syndrome and offers the chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people by providing support and empowerment.
Embracing the empty nest can be a difficult transition. But it comes with unique opportunities to help other children while still providing valuable care and love to their own family.
By connecting with other foster parents, you can expand your family circle beyond the traditional relations and have access to the understanding, advice, and support they provide.
In addition to emotional rewards, becoming a foster parent has financial benefits too. You already know how to raise adolescents, so you can now use that experience for another purpose in life—and one that will truly enrich your life by positively impacting the world around you.
So if you are looking for something meaningful to focus on during this new chapter of life, fostering is an excellent option that will give you comfort against feelings of loss, depression, anxiety and loneliness frequently associated with having an empty nest.
Finding the foster child for your home
Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive. Unfortunately, many don’t find this with their birth families and need a temporary home until they are old enough to become independent.
Foster carers provide an invaluable service, using their hearts and homes to give these children the loving care they deserve.
Matching them up is an important responsibility that requires time and careful consideration – something that Family Care has prioritised.
When considering fostering, it’s essential to understand the needs of the children you’ll be taking care of. Family Care has a recruitment officer ready to answer any questions you might have and provide guidance during your initial enquiry.
A key question that will be asked during this stage is what age of children you feel comfortable supporting.
The average age of those living with our families is 9, and most foster arrangements last for 2.5 years on average.
Once your initial enquiry call is complete, you should have a good idea if fostering could work for your family and if yes, a home visit will be arranged by one of our dedicated Supervising Social Workers (SSWs).
SSWs are essential as they provide support and assurance to potential fostering families while giving clear insights into the highs and lows of providing foster care.
Moreover, they can discuss specific matching considerations to make the arrangement suitable for everyone involved in the family home.
You can read more about this process here.
Make an enquiry about fostering
Your Local Family Fostering Agency
Empty nest syndrome can be a difficult transition for anyone. But by recognising the early signs of the symptoms and taking positive steps like fostering, empty nesters can not only fill their homes but also experience many of the joys that come from providing a child with a safe and nurturing environment.
Fostering isn’t easy, but there are great rewards for those who open their hearts.
Family Care exists to help families find the perfect foster child for their home. With our help, there’s no reason empty nesters can’t turn a period of sadness into an opportunity for growth.
For those interested, the first step on the journey is to make an inquiry.
We’ve heard many stories from people considering fostering for years and are surprised at why it took them so long to finally get in touch!
If you’d like to talk about starting or learning more about the process, call us at 0800 5 677677, and we’ll be happy to help.
Alternatively, you can also enquire online via this link.
No matter your enquiry or individual situation, we’ll do our best to provide any advice and guidance needed during each step of your journey.
Check out our FAQs page for more information, and follow us on Facebook for all the latest news and updates.