Raising a child is one of life’s most precious responsibilities. Many have become parents by birthing their kids, adopting, fostering, or becoming step-parents.
No matter how you become a parent, the focus remains the same- raising a child in a loving and responsible environment.
In this article, we closely examine the difference between a step-parent and a foster parent.
Foster Parent Vs. Step-parent
Whether or not there is a difference between a foster parent and a step-parent is unanswered these days as more people are beginning to use both terms interchangeably.
However, there is no striking similarity between both forms of parenting, aside from the fact that childcare is a part of both cases.
Knowing the difference would mean understanding each concept independently. Below is all you should know:
Who is a Step-parent?
Step-parenting is a type of parenting that involves caring for a spouse’s biological child. In this case, the step-parent has no biological relationship with the step-child.
The step-parent has to provide for the children with or without the help of the biological parent. Because of this, there are various views on maintaining a relationship with the other biological parent who is no longer in the picture.
Once you’re a step-parent, it’s natural to ask if you should function as a parent right away or take a more cautious approach and wait and see.
There is no one correct method or way to be a stepparent. There are many different approaches. Over time, you and your family will develop a method that works for both of you.
Advantages of Being a Step-parent
One fantastic benefit of being a stepparent is the chance to play a key role in a child’s life, not to mention the joys and support of a wider family network.
Another benefit is that your children can develop good bonds with their stepsiblings and half-siblings. You also get the chance to develop great relations with your spouse and stepkids.
Difficulties of Being a Step-parent
One of the difficulties of being a stepparent is adjusting to a new family. It’s difficult because everyone else already understands each other well. To begin with, you could well feel a little out of place.
Your step-child may reject or ignore you, or they may feel uneasy or shy in your presence. It can be difficult to cope with this and find beneficial ways of relating to your step-child.
You may have to cope with bad responses or critiques from the other parent of your step-child. Furthermore, if your stepkid’s other parent is not enthusiastic about your presence, you may have challenges.
This could have an impact on how your step-child conducts toward you. With your child or children, you may feel biased towards them or upset if you believe that your partner isn’t fair to your child or children.
Differences With Your Spouse
You and your significant other may have varying approaches to and expectations regarding parenting.
You will need to collaborate with your partner to resolve any issues arising from your differences.
Also possible is the feeling of being under pressure to fulfill a specific role. For example, stepmoms often believe they must take on the primary caring role, or stepfathers may believe they should take charge of boundaries and rules.
Foster Parenting
Caring for and encouraging foster children requires much nurturing, culture, and encouragement. There is also a lot of paperwork and meetings to attend.
However, being a foster parent is most important because it gives a child new opportunities to live better.
Because state laws control foster care regulations, they often vary from one state to another. However, becoming a foster dad or mom almost always begins with a visit to the legal division responsible for that state’s child welfare program.
An application is important, but many states make these applications available online. General information about your family and your home is part of the application.
You must also explain why you wish to foster a child. In some cases, you may need to say whether you would prefer an infant or an older child to care for.
After applying, an orientation class, or a series of classes, will be held. Those interested in becoming foster parents often attend the training session with you.
Not only is it a group activity rather than a private lecture, but it is also a form of training. If you have any concerns about the type of relationship you’re about to enter, you can express them.
Ask questions to get a sense of what to expect. A home study is usually required when fostering children.
A social worker will visit your home, meet with you and other family members, and check your environment.
Although your age is considered a huge factor to some extent (you need to be at least 21 in most cases), nothing else matters.
Your race, religion, gender, and marital status are never judged or taken into consideration. There may be as many as five or ten visits to the home during the study.
Prepare to Let Go Eventually
You may have to learn to let go at some point. It is always the end objective of foster care to reconnect the child with his or her biological parent(s).
When a child is removed from his home because of an incident, the state works to correct the situation so that the family can be reunited.
However, there are times when this is not possible, and the child is put up for adoption instead.
In many cases, foster parents are given the initial opportunity to adopt; however, should they decline the opportunity for any reason, the kid will be placed in a different home.
