Some people think or believe that foster parents are waiting, hoping, praying that the biological parents mess up or choose not to follow their plan to get their children back. If this was the case, then foster parents would not be willing to take foster children short term (2 or 3 weeks) or until kinship placement is worked out.

For the most part, I believe most foster parents do it for the children. Yes, I do know there are a few bad ones that do it for the money. I would think there would be a more involved way to help biological parents with counseling, teaching parenting classes, etc. if that was your goal.

Child welfare's goal is to assist the parents in receiving the help they need and then reuniting the family. Even when it may not be in the best interest of the children because that is the primary goal. Foster care is not black and white it is full of gray areas.

Judges tend to be pro unification maybe because it does look better for their record. The judge's job is to see that the parents' rights are protected and they have their day in court. Which I totally support.

Here lays the problem. Who is looking solely for the foster children? Who looks out for their rights and takes into account what is in their best interest?

As the foster parent, I want what is best for the children that I am caring for. Sadly, there are a number of placements that the foster parent may truly feel in their heart is not in the best interest of the children. A lot of this is common sense by watching the interaction or lack of it with the children and parents. Talking to these parents, knowing what is going on in their lives you can get a pretty clear idea of what is important at this time in their lives.

More reading:

Who Pays the Price?

How to Help Biological Parents Feel Involved With Foster Children

Is Parenting a Right or a Privilege?

How Many Second Chances?

Biological Parents Needing Additional Help

Not all Biological Parents Deserve Additional Help