Challenges and Benefits of Fostering Sibling Groups

Fostering multiple children, especially siblings, can be both a rewarding and challenging experience. Keeping siblings together in the same home provides stability during a difficult time, and easing their transition into foster care is critical for their well-being. Being ready to face the challenges of caring for sibling groups is crucial so children feel supported as they grow.

The Challenges Of Fostering Sibling Groups

Different Needs For Each Child 

Every child is unique, and so are their needs. Fostering siblings requires addressing their individual needs with different care and parenting styles. Siblings may have varying levels of trauma, behavioral issues, or special needs that require individualized care. It’s important to make sure each child has fair and equal attention without neglect. 

Jealousy 

Introducing new members into a family can shift dynamics and cause jealousy. Biological children might feel they are receiving less attention, while children in foster care might feel upset seeing children who can live with their biological parents. 

Demands More Time And Resources

Fostering sibling groups can cause more emotional and financial strain on parents. While resources and financial aid are available to help foster parents, it is best to understand and utilize how these can help manage caretaking.

Parentification in Teens

Many teenagers in foster care have learned to take up the responsibility of caring for their younger siblings as a parent would. This is called “parentification.” It can be hard for them to unlearn this, especially when they are placed in a home with the siblings they are used to looking after.

Benefits Of Keeping Siblings Together In Foster Care

Provides Emotional Support During Adjustment
Separating siblings can heighten trauma and be detrimental to their mental health. With PTSD rates in foster youth comparable to U.S. war veterans, it is critical to focus on reducing trauma. Together, siblings can offer each other emotional support in a new and unfamiliar environment. This connection makes it easier to cope with the significant changes they’re going through. 

Fewer Behavioral And Mental Health Issues
Children close to their families develop a stronger sense of identity and self-esteem. As a result, when children in foster care live with at least one other sibling, they are less likely to be moved to another foster home and experience fewer depression symptoms. This also helps in the classroom, where fewer moves and good behavior reduce disruptions and make learning easier for students.

Maintains Important Familial Bonds
Keeping siblings in the same foster home makes visitation easier for birth parents. It eliminates the need for separate travel arrangements and makes frequent visits possible. Nurturing family relationships reinforces children’s support system and fosters a greater sense of belonging.

Increased Chance for Reunification or Adoption
Children placed in homes with their siblings are more likely to be reunited with their birth parents or, if reunification is not possible, more likely to become adopted.

Why Siblings Are Separated In The Foster Care System

53-80% of siblings are separated in the foster care system. Although it’s beneficial to keep siblings together in foster care, it’s not always possible. There are a few reasons why.

Limited Availability / Room 

There may be a shortage of foster homes in the area with adequate room for multiple children, especially if there are a larger number of siblings.

Well-Being Or Safety Concerns

In cases of abuse or trauma, siblings may be separated for their safety. During this time, underlying issues can be addressed, such as removing the source of abuse or providing trauma care.

Unique Physical Or Mental Health Needs

If one sibling requires special aid (like therapy or specialized equipment) that the other does not, they may be separated so each child receives appropriate care.

They Enter The Foster Care System At Different Times

Sometimes, siblings enter foster care at different times. It can be difficult to place them in the same foster home their siblings were in when this happens.

Keys To Successfully Fostering Sibling Groups

Seek Training And Support

Consider reaching out to social workers, therapists, or support groups to help you throughout the fostering journey. They can provide insight into how other siblings have been supported and point you toward resources that can help.

Be Honest About Your Limitations

Be honest with foster agencies and social workers about your capabilities. Consider emotional and financial readiness, as well as your readiness to handle trauma and behavioral challenges.

Not everyone can handle fostering multiple children at once, and that is okay. Focusing on one child at a time and building your experiences before looking to foster sibling groups may be more practical.  

Create A Supportive Environment

Stability helps children feel safe, and this can be accomplished through tailored attention to children’s individual needs, communication, and consistency. Establish rules and routines to manage transitions smoothly and create familiarity. 

Fostering sibling groups requires lots of support

There are many benefits to keeping siblings together in foster care, but it can be a challenge for some parents. Successfully fostering sibling groups requires individualized care for each child while providing a supportive and stable home environment. If you decide to foster a sibling group, remember that no parent is perfect, and even with preparation, you can’t predict every challenge. Take on new challenges with an open mind and heart.