Foster Care Book: Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - Respite

My definition of respite is ’giving the birth parent(s) a break.’ This is a new concept for me. When I was growing up, it was inconceivable that any parent would ask another parent to take their child so they could relax and get rid of some stress. We had families raising six, eight and ten children and doing it willingly.

It never entered their heads that respite was necessary or even available. There never was a need for respite because both parents were in the home and mom probably did not work. The stress level was therefore at a minimum. It also was not necessary to keep up with the Jones’ because the Jones’ had no more than they did. Today, I suspect, there probably is a need for respite. This is especially true in the case of ’single mothers.’

I hate that term! In most cases, THE MOTHER IS NOT SINGLE, SHE IS ABANDONED; AS WAS HER CHILD.

Albeit the separation may have been mutual but the mother and children are still abandoned. This is abandoned their family especially true if the father does not pay child support (which is frequently).

Next Chapter