Millie, aged 10, shares her experiences growing up in a Fostering family
This month, we spoke to 10-year-old Millie, whose mum is a Buckinghamshire short breaks carer, about what it’s like to be part of a fostering family.
Hi Millie, can you tell us a bit about your family?
I have a mum, a brother and two cats – the cats are called Shadow and Stripy. My mum has been fostering since before I was born, so I’ve grown up with a lot of these children.
What's your favourite memory or experience you’ve had with your foster siblings?
I remember when we looked after these kids, we took them to the soft play, and we played with them there. They were quite young, so I was allowed in there because I was looking after them, so it was fun to go in a place I wasn’t really allowed.
How do you feel when a new foster child arrives and leaves?
I get quite excited because I like meeting them and seeing if they’re like me, and what they like. Before lockdown we would go and meet them first. When they leave, we sometimes stay in touch which is nice.
How did you try to welcome your foster siblings?
When they first come to stay, we do things they like and get to know them. When they stay for a while we bake, we do art, and we go outside for walks and go to the park, so that’s fun!
Do you go to the Sons and Daughters group? What’s it like?
Yes! We usually go out for dinner which is fun, and we went to a theme park once! I also went horse riding with the group which I like. It’s great to meet new people there.
What’s your favourite thing to do with your mum?
I like going shopping!
Thanks Millie!
Please note: we have changed "Millie's" name for anonymity reasons.
About short break foster care
Short break foster care covers a variety of different types of part-time care. Short break carers might have a child to stay from anything from a few hours each week to a couple of weeks during the summer holidays, giving their own family or full-time foster carers a break.
If you’d like to chat with one of our foster carers on a one-to-one basis to hear what it’s really like to Foster with Bucks then please get in touch with us today by emailing us at [email protected].
We also host monthly virtual information events and welcome anyone interested in learning more about the application process in a relaxed and comfortable online environment. Email us to book your place at [email protected].