[6furbabies]

Hello,

I am single and I am starting my training classes this week. Yesterday, I was talking to a single friend who has also been considering foster care. We were talking about how much our lives will change once we become foster parents. One thing my friend brought up was dating. Of course, I am aware that that part of my life will change some (although I have to admit, it's not like I'm going out on dates every weekend or anything anyway!). She seemed to think that dating while being a foster parent would be a very bad idea. Her point of view is that it would be difficult on the children and besides that, who would want to date a foster parent?

I thought this over some and I feel that just like any other kind of parenting, it is a decision that will need to be based on the individual child and the individual parent. I would never leave a newly placed child to go out on a date, first of all. I realize that we will need time to bond to each other first. But, I don't see how it would be detrimental to the child if I was to go out after I feel the child is settled and comfortable with me and my home. I haven't thought through the details about who I'd leave the child with. My mom is the logical choice and she's been very supportive of me thus far with my talk of foster care. But, in my county, you have to be a certified foster parent in order to watch the child for more than "a couple" of hours. Is this normal procedure? I know that 2 hours is not really set in stone, but I also don't want to do anything to get myself in trouble!

Lastly, as for the question about who would want to date a foster parent... I wouldn't want to date anyone who wouldn't want to date a foster parent, so that's not something I'm going to bother myself with!