I didn't plan on fostering siblings, but it's the best decision I've ever made!

• Fostering Stories
• Tags: Fostering siblings , Single foster carer

I went into fostering to foster one child, as a mother who had brought up my own daughter, I knew I could do this. When asked if I could have three siblings, on a short-term basis I agreed.

That was short term, 4 years ago and now they’re with me now until they are 18 at least!

It was the best decision I have ever made.  Keeping the girls together gives them a sense of normality.  When other children are chatting in the playground about siblings, grandparents etc, the girls can join in chatting about their family.

As one of five children I know the importance of having my family around me and feel it is important to keep that for my girls.

Becoming friends with the lady who fosters the girls’ older siblings has been great.  We’ve been able to keep the 6 children in constant contact with each other.

Although they live in different homes they are always together and we organise holidays together, days out and even organise visits with the children and their maternal grandparents.

• “It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I’d love to encourage others to do the same! I think there’s probably a lot of people out there who could foster, but they don’t realise they could. You can make a big difference in someone’s life if you have the time to give.” Jacquie

They’re now invited to birthday parties, (which had never happened before) and they are accepted more.  Accepted for who they are.

We were in the garden center recently and the girls asked if they could have some money to buy something.  They came back with a gift for me that said “You’re the best”.  They also bought me a card on Mother’s Day saying – “You’re like a Mum to me” which was lovely.