Family on a Mission: Foster Care- What is House Parenting?

When my husband and I first found the advertisement online for house parenting opportunities we were looking for a career change. He had been a chef previously, but the long hours away from home had caused him to want to find something different that didn't pull him from family so much. Our son was just a toddler and I was staying home with him, caring for other children in an at home daycare to make extra money. But our finances were tight. The position sounded like the perfect opportunity to accomplish our goal of finding something more financially stable, where we could still spend more time as a family, while also doing work that was meaningful. We had no idea the blessings that were in store for us when we applied.

House Parents are connected with Children's Homes working essentially as professional parents. 

We went through a three week training process to relate to children in care by learning alternatives to managing aggression, de-escalation techniques, trust based relational interventions and trauma informed care as well as basic youth skills for success that we could teach. 

All of these things, however, are designed to be taught in a home setting so the biggest role we would play would be that of a family. House parents have to be willing to literally move in with the children they will minister to, working and living on the campus where you will serve. In most cases you will work a shift of days, varying usually between 8-21 days on shift and then you will receive some respite days to be off. Most children's homes offer house parents an attached smaller home at the back of the larger home where the children live and some are allowed to stay there during both days on and off shift, while other homes have separate respite homes. 

House Parents make carpool runs, cook meals, make appointments, attend school events, plan activities, throw birthday parties, attend church and everything else in between, all while modeling a loving family in a functional home setting. A typical day may include preparing breakfast and getting the kids off to school, taking care of some paperwork or attending an on campus meeting while the kids are away, doing grocery shopping for the week, attending a band concert or sports activity and sitting down to enjoy dinner together before doing a family devotion at bedtime. You will play the role of emotional support, homework helper, cheerleader, and so much more! 

The children in our care were a mix of private and state placements with varying degrees of trauma. If I were to paint a picture of an always tranquil and happy home I would be doing a disservice to anyone praying about this opportunity for themselves. This work can be difficult. It can be heart breaking. Some of the children that you could serve may have been through more hurt than you can even imagine. And the consequences of that can manifest in the form of anger management problems, detachment, or other behavioral issues. But this is where being a part of a community on a Children's Home campus comes in the clutch to help you! You are never alone in your parenting and have a whole team of therapists, case workers, relief parents and volunteers to help you. 

It is not easy, but together it is possible to make a difference. 

If this is something that sounds like it could be a good fit for you or your family as a ministry that you would be willing to participate in, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. I love to share about the blessings that we received as a result from our time as house parents. If you want to read more about our house parenting journey check out my profile on this blog and find the link to the previous journals I kept while we served. In the meantime check out the website listed below for openings at various children's homes across the country. 

houseparent.com