“I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else now”

• Fostering Stories
• Tags: Fostering babies

Angela’s story of fostering babies and young children

As a former nanny and mum, caring for young children had always been a big part of Angela’s life. When the time felt right to make a career change and find something that worked better for her family, fostering felt like the natural next step.

Today, she says she can't imagine doing anything else.

“It was always there in the back of my mind” 

"Fostering had always been something I'd been interested in," Angela explains. "I nearly did it years ago, but it wasn't the right time in my life. This time felt like the right time."

Having spent years working with children, Angela knew she wanted to care for babies and toddlers.

"I'd always worked with young children, so choosing babies and toddlers was an easy decision for me."

At the time, she was working shifts, which no longer suited her family life.

"I wanted something that would work alongside my family as well. Everything just seemed to come together at the right time."

More than a job 

Before fostering, Angela worked as a nanny and expected some similarities.

"I thought it would be a lot like nannying, where you're fully involved when you're there, but at the end of the day you go home."

Instead, she discovered something much deeper.

"It isn't like that at all. It's all-consuming, but in a good way. The children become part of your family for however long they're with you."

She remembers the moment that really brought that home.

"When the first little boy arrived, his social worker stayed for a short time and then left. A few days later, when we were doing bedtime, bath time and breakfast, I realised this wasn't a job. This was my family now."

Fostering as a family

Angela's ten-year-old son has embraced his role as a foster sibling.

"When the little boy first arrived, he absolutely loved him and wanted to do everything with him."

Now, he enjoys taking on the role of a big brother, helping with everyday tasks and spending time playing together.

"He's brilliant. He gets down on the floor and plays with him and helps me out whenever I need him."

Angela believes fostering has benefited her son too.

"I'm not going to have any more children, so this has given him the chance to experience being a big brother, which he wouldn't have had otherwise."

He also enjoys having his mum at home more.

"I can do every school drop-off and pick-up, and I'm available for him. He really likes that."

The reality: plenty of juggling!

Angela currently cares for two young children from different families.

Like any foster carer, her days involve much more than caring for children at home.

"There can be a lot of juggling."

Alongside family time, there can be hospital appointments, meetings, nursery arrangements and support from other professionals.

"You get into a routine eventually, but sometimes you have those days when nothing goes to plan and you just have to go with the flow and not give yourself a hard time."

Celebrating the little milestones

For Angela, some of the most rewarding moments are often the smallest.

One young child in her care had limited speech when he arrived.

"The other day he took a drink from me and said 'thank you'. It was such a tiny thing, but it felt massive."

She has also worked patiently with a baby to help her settle and sleep independently.

"One morning I put her into her cot, walked out of the room and she just settled herself to sleep. I was so proud."

Angela keeps daily records, photographs and videos to capture those important moments and help children understand their journey as they grow older.

"It's lovely to look back and see how much they've progressed."

Building positive relationships with families

One aspect of fostering that surprised Angela was the positive relationships she has developed with children's families.

"I thought it might feel competitive, or that parents wouldn't like me because I'm looking after their child, but it's never been like that."

She regularly shares updates, photographs and special moments so families don't miss important milestones.

"The baby's mum tells me all the time that she thinks I'm doing an amazing job, which is really lovely."

With another child's family, regular communication helps ensure everyone is working together to meet the child's needs.

"We talk about how they're doing, things they need and what would help them."

The importance of support

Angela says support from other foster carers has been invaluable.

She regularly attends groups where foster carers can share experiences, advice and encouragement.

"We all have questions, whether we're new to fostering or have been doing it for years."

Knowing there are people who understand the realities of fostering makes a real difference.

"That support from other foster carers is so important."