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5 MARCH 2010
NO 1550
Foster carer
Hi! My name is Jean Kennedy. I am a child, (although !'m nearly 18), in a fostering family. Our family has been fostering for nearly seven years now. I am the second eldest of a fluctuating number, but at the moment, we are a very rounded eight! In my house at the moment, two of my brothers and one of my sisters are fostered, all younger than me. The only difference you will find is that they have another family and a different surname.
We, as a family, have experienced every type of fostering placement, long-term, short-term, emergency, respite and day-care. The brilliant thing is that I know what each of those terms mean! They were never explained to me, I just based my understanding of – them on my experiences.
I am a youth carer. What this means to me is that I get the chance to do great things, share my happy home and watch young children grow up, content. It's been a joy but a struggle, and yes, it's all worthwhile.
I love being a youth who fosters. I have shared my parents, my family, my bedroom, my life, my love, and my last Rolo. Everything! I can't put into words the feelings shared with a hug, a kiss or just a smile. No words are needed to show love...
It's the little things...
In my eyes, fostering is a brilliant revelation. Y'know, I don't think
anyone can pinpoint the moment when a child actually becomes part of
your family, rather than being a child who happens to live with you. I
love that.
I'm gonna talk about the brill things now, and hopefully make you laugh and smile, then I'm gonna talk bout the sad things, and maybe make you cry, here I go...
The brill things...
I love watching kids grow up.
I love having two younger brothers, which I never had before.
I love when the younger ones ask me to help them with homework, ask me about what they should wear to parties, ask me to put their hair up like mine.
I love when my younger sisters all come and say goodnight before they go to sleep.
I love having a brother who's the same age as me, with whom I can hang around with and introduce to all my friends.
I love playing hide-and-seek, `cos they're so easy to catch, `cos they keep squealing when I come close!
I love the fact that you can't ever be alone with so many people here.
I love being able to say something to my family and there's always someone who has felt the same, or been in the same sort of situation and is there to talk to.
I love the photos we take, trying to get all the smiling faces in!
I love family parties! `Cos there's so many of `em!!
I love when we stop at the traffic lights and people start using their fingers to try and count how many of us there are!
I love having to think twice when people ask how many brothers and sisters I actually have!
I love Christmas! It's the best holidays for foster families!
I love it all! Except...
When one of my siblings has to leave our home for whatever reason.
When a child comes back from a stressing access and is hurtful and angry for a while afterwards.
When I know a child is hurting from past abuses of any and every kind.
When a child's eyes fills up with tears `cos they're far from their parents and natural brothers and sisters.
When my friend, my brother or sister, feel they're excluded and `different', `cos they're in care.
When I have to pick up the pieces of a broken heart and try and stick it back together.
JEAN KENNEDY
Kennedy, J. (2002). Youth caring: 'It's the little things...'. Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, 3, 1. pp. 179-180
