Do you REALLY Think Foster Parents and Adoptive Parent's Make A Lot of $$?

Question

I am highly disturbed, as an adoptive parent, of the notion that those who adopt from foster care, or who are foster parents make incredible amounts of money caring for those children.

What makes a person think that people foster or adopt from foster care to get rich?

Yes, there is some financial relief for foster and adoptive parents, however, if you're doing it right, you're not even getting reimbursed 50% of what you spend on your children.

Example. I worked as a secretary for a middle school, and it was Christmas time and it was time to pick a child whose family was having hard times to "sponsor" with gifts and Christmas dinner.

Immediately, I thought of "X" who had just been orphaned because his parents were in a car wreck.

The answer? NO, because he has foster parents who are making a boatload off of caring for him, he'll have a good Christmas. WTF?!?

Please tell me, if you're one of those that believe this notion, WHY you do. I can guarantee you, it's false

Answer 1

I'm a foster parent (in Australia, it might be different over here), and basically every foster parent here is entitled to exactly the same financial compensation as any biological parent is entitled to for their children.

So basically, if we're using our children for money, then so is every other parent out there, lol!

You'll find that the ones with those attitudes are the ones who would never have the guts to actually do it, because I speak from experience when I say it's HARD work!  Totally worth it of course, and believe me, if we were told tomorrow that we would receive no more financial assistance, there's no way you'd be taking those kids off me!

Answer 2

Foster parents do not make a lot of money due to the child being in the system... I know cause i was in the system.. And most of what they make gets spent really quick. Due to cloths, food, toys, school stuff. Its also not an easy job taking in kids who have been through h**l and back cause you will have a lot to deal with physical and mentally. If said child has been through h**l and back and needs therapy that in its self can cost a lot. So you are right it is false.. I believe those who think that foster parents make a lot should try once...

Answer 3

Honey, they are fools.  Anyone who thinks that, does not know how much a child costs.  The more money you have, the more gets spent on your children.  

So no one could ever do this to make a profit.  Not unless they are baby farmers, or such, anyway.

Children cost an absolute fortune, but I know they are worth every penny.

Answer 4

I got some financial help from the state for adopting my 2 kids.  I didn't know I would when I decided to adopt.  it helped, but wasn't enough to cover all the expenses.  both had braces and were hospitalized for short periods of time.  I'd had them for years before I was told they had Medicaid AFTER paying the hospital bill.  I didn't adopt them for money, I adopted them because I wanted to be a mom.

Answer 5

I was bought up in a foster home until I was 16 and I can tell you my foster parents worked their butts off to put food on our tables.  They had up to 16 kids at home at a time, and worked really hard to make sure we all were well dressed and feed.

They received little hand outs from the government and I can say my family would have sold anything to give us a good life.

Who ever thinks that they are getting rich from it, obviously haven't been there.

Answer 6

I think you said it yourself:  IF you do it right, you don't make money.

Some people believe otherwise because the horror stories about people who DON'T do it right and ARE in it for the money are the stories that make the news.

Answer 7

I hope that people who foster children do it because of the fact that the children need a safe place to live and can offer love and guidance in troubled times. I personally myself never thought that a foster family made a lot of money off of fostering children.

Answer 8

My parents did foster care for awhile. And yes, they did receive money but it normally covered what they had already spent out of pocket for the children. Fortunately though, they didn't do it for the money but to help out those little ones. I understand your anger at the situation though as people would always ask me, when I was living with them, how much money they made "off the kids". It's not about the money for people that do foster care for the RIGHT reasons. I think it's wonderful what you are doing though. Good luck to you.

Answer 9

No I don't.  I think foster parents are wonderful people.  I wish I could meet my own foster mother who cared for me from birth until 3 months of age, but the State won't let me know who she is