Stephanie and David decided to become foster carers while expecting their second child.
“I wanted to have a third child and David didn’t, so he said, ‘why don’t we help a child in need and give them a loving home’ and we took it from there,” says Stephanie.
“It’s one of the best decisions we’ve made.”
That was 5 years ago and since then, the couple have opened their home to many children who needed emergency and respite care.
“Each child had taught us something valuable and has helped us to grow as parents and carers,” says Stephanie.
“Our attitude with any of the children we’ve cared for is they are welcome to stay as long as they need to be here.”
In 2019 the couple started long-term care, taking in a 1-week old baby boy.
“We decided it was best for us to care for an infant, as they fit in with what we’re doing, instead of the other way around,” says Stephanie.
“Having a newborn is always challenging but it’s been wonderful caring for him.”
Stephanie says all of the children her family have cared for have a special place in her heart.
Stephanie recalls a young boy who was placed in their care early in their foster care journey.
“He was placed with us after his mother had a stroke shortly after he was born,” says Stephanie.
“It was actually a good experience for us and his mother, because we were in regular communication with her and she knew her little boy was being well looked after.
“Reunification is often the goal, so it was lovely to send him back to his mother, knowing we had the privilege of caring for him while his mother was unable to.”
Please note, the photo accompanying this story is for illustrative purposes only. It is not a photo of the people featured in this story.
