Fostering A Family Affair | A Caregiver's Story

Peter and Julie Dick, alongside their daughter Lauren, have been fostering children for 17 years, welcoming 18 children of various ages, mostly on a respite basis.

Their journey has profoundly impacted their lives, bringing immense rewards and strengthening their family bond.

Lauren, now 17, has enjoyed the company, especially as the children’s ages have tended to reflect her own as she has grown.

‘‘I’m an only child, so it has been kind of nice.’’

This commitment has not only enriched the lives of the children they have cared for but also their own, encouraging them to pursue new activities.

‘‘We might pack up for the day and go to Moeraki, take a picnic lunch and just spend a day at the beach,’’ Mrs Dick said.

By opening the door to their home, the Dicks have also opened their hearts, and have found fostering to be a fulfilling experience.

The fostering experience, as shared by the family, is not without its challenges, but social services agency Anglican Family Care was always there with helpful advice.

Mr Dick said they aimed to provide a home away from home.

‘‘We are not perfect, and the kids aren’t perfect, we’re all just normal.’’

Maintaining a balance between emotional attachment and the temporary nature of foster care required a nuanced approach, making new connections while also preparing for eventual goodbyes.

Lauren said sometimes it was hard to let go.

‘‘Because obviously you have a lot of sympathy and empathy for the child, but if you have too much then it is really hard to let go, which is part of what respite and foster care is.’’

Extended family members and neighbours have also played a crucial role by embracing and supporting the ever-changing inclusion of foster children in family activities.

‘‘It’s not unusual for us to have an extra child at family occasions.,’’ Mrs Dick said.

Their fostering journey has solidified their family bond, and they encouraged others to consider fostering with a simple message —‘‘Just do it.’’

The rewards far outweighed the challenges, offering a fulfilling experience that changed lives and enriched families.

‘‘Give it a go, it is not that hard,’’ Mr Dick said.

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This story written and photographed by Allied Press reporter Simon Henderson, first appeared in the Star newspaper during FosterCare Awareness week in March 2024

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