Looking after a young adult

If you were asked to look after a child that was not yours would you do it? Yes I’m talking about possible fostering, helping out with extended family or taking on a friend’s child now and then because they needed your help. Given the current climate, many people would be frightened to come forward to such causes. Don’t get me wrong, I have met good Samaritans who would at a drop of a hat do anything for anyone. Yet, for the majority of us there are plenty of reasons not to do so. Recession, unemployment, family commitments of our own are good reasons to think twice. But, if we all kept making excuses what would happen to the children that really needed our help?
Recently, I was put in a situation where I couldn’t refuse. Going against advice given, I decided to take care of a young adult I knew. Why? If I hadn’t come forward, this young person’s situation was about to get worse. Was I worried, scared, nervous? Yes, but nothing compared to what this young person was going through.
My only other concern was how my own children would react to the situation. It had been a while since a young person had come to stay with us again. The usual emotions of jealousy, anger, and frustration were apparent in my kids to begin with, but, to my relief, they didn’t need much reassurance to change their attitude. I am proud to say they came round to the newest member of our family pretty quick.
I’m not going to lie and say looking after someone’s child is easy. A lot of it does come down to strong communication, listening to what young people are actually saying and respecting their wishes. Most importantly, learning to have patience can help you when confronted with serious problems. Being responsible for a young person is not everyone's thing. Yet in my case it was beneficial. When I watch the news, natural disaster taking place all around the world, the tsunami in Japan, drought in Africa, I have no regrets in what I’m doing.