No two foster parenting journeys look the same — and no two days do either! 

Some days are structured and routine. Others change in an instant. But every day is grounded in the same purpose: creating a safe, supportive space for children and teens during some of the most uncertain moments of their lives. 

If you’ve ever wondered what foster parenting looks like day to day — or if being a foster parent might be the right path for you — these stories offer a real, honest glimpse inside. Three foster parents share what this journey has meant to them and the children and teens they’ve welcomed into their homes.

From first days to decades of experience, their insights offer an honest look at the daily rhythms, challenges and rewards of a day in the life of a foster parent.

Meet a Few KVC Foster Parents

Claire and her husband Zachary were unable to have children because of health complications, but had a heart for foster care and adoption from the get-go. Claire’s experience as a teacher and Zachary’s own adoption story made this feel like the natural next step in their journey. With her background in education, she brings structure, empathy and intentionality to her home.

Kenneth was a foster parent for more than 30 years alongside his late wife, caring for more than 60 children, including youth with significant needs. His experience reflects both the challenges and the deep purpose of foster care.

Atheah is an experienced foster parent who now supports others through KVC’s ambassador program, helping new families navigate it all.

Daily Life: Expect the Unexpected

If there’s one thing all foster parents can agree on, it’s that there is no “typical” day.

A call can come at any moment. For Claire, that moment came while she was at work. Even though she and Zachary were in the middle of packing for a move, she was open to the conversation. 

“They asked if we could take two little girls that night,” Claire remembers. “I went through my list of questions, and it was immediately a yes.” Within hours, their life changed dramatically, with two little girls now in their care.

That same week, Claire and Zachary welcomed two additional siblings into their home. “It wasn’t even a question,” said Claire, “because we went into this wanting to keep siblings together.” 

With four young siblings to care for, Claire remembers how daily life quickly became a balance of coordinating schedules and appointments, communicating with caseworkers and therapists, supporting visits with biological families and creating routines that help children feel secure.

Foster parents also work closely with KVC team members, who provide guidance and coordination no matter what.

“You never know what’s coming next,” Claire explains. “You just focus on what the kids need right now. KVC really stood out to us as an agency that is very child-based and wants to find safe and healthy homes for kids.”

Creating Safety and Stability

One of the most important parts of foster parenting happens in the small, everyday moments. For children entering foster care, who have often experienced trauma and/or unstable environments, feeling safe doesn’t happen instantly. It’s built over time through consistency, patience and trust.

Kenneth emphasizes the importance of meeting both children and their biological families where they are. “You have to leave everything at the door. You can’t judge anybody.”

Treatment Foster Care (TFC) provides additional training and support for foster parents caring for youth with more complex needs. These families work closely with specialized KVC teams to ensure children and teens receive the care and support they need.

Creating a sense of safety can look like establishing routines, setting boundaries, holding family meetings and offering reassurance.

Even small gestures can have a lasting impact. Claire recalls a child asking for an orange — “But only the way Claire cuts it!”

Supporting Family Connections and Reunification

With safe family reunification as the primary goal, foster care is ultimately about supporting families. And foster parents play an important role in maintaining those connections when it’s safe to do so.

Claire has been especially intentional about this through visits, photo walls, daily conversations and communication with relatives.

“We wanted to make sure their biological family was always present,” she explains. “Regardless of what anyone in the foster parenting realm is interested in, their heart should always be open to keeping a connection with the family as long as it’s safe and what’s best for the kids.”

Claire and Zachary have also gone above and beyond to give the kids in their care opportunities to bond with their biological siblings. The girls in their care enjoy a monthly sleepover with their older sister and celebrate birthdays together.

These efforts help children maintain identity, feel connected and build stronger long-term outcomes.

Making Foster Parenting Sustainable

Foster parenting is deeply meaningful, and it also requires a lot of support! Through KVC’s ambassador program, experienced foster parents like Atheah help guide those who are just starting out.

“I know what it’s like to stare into the unknown with a child in your home who’s hurting and to wonder if love and patience will be enough. I remember what it felt like to be overwhelmed,” Atheah shares.

When Atheah was paired with her first new foster parent, she could tell right away that this woman was overwhelmed and doubting herself.

“I heard the fear in her voice, and I remembered exactly what that felt like,” she shares. “I just wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.” 

Atheah checked in constantly with her ambassador program partner, talking her through late nights and helping her find resources as needed. 

After things had settled down, Atheah got a text from her ambassador program partner saying, “I wouldn’t have made it through this without you.”

For Atheah, that’s what this was all about: making sure no foster parent feels alone and unsupported. 

“KVC reminds me that we’re not doing this alone,” says Atheah. “Behind every hard decision and every breakthrough, there’s a team of people who believe that every child deserves love, safety and a future full of hope.”

Support can come through mentorship, KVC teams, family support systems and self-compassion.

“It’s important that your support system understands the bigger purpose,” Claire says.

At KVC, we’re committed to providing reliable, caring support available to foster parents. This includes 24/7 care team support (available by phone, in-person and virtually), ongoing training and skill development, connection to a community of other foster parents, help finding local resources and more.

Kids & Teens Will Never Forget the Adults Who Were There For Them When They Needed It Most

Foster parenting is not easy. It can involve challenging behaviors, uncertainty and heartbreak. But for many, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.

Hearing from children he had cared for in the past with a call or text to wish him happy birthday means a lot — and especially the calls he gets to wish him a happy Father’s Day. As Kenneth reflects, “I’ve had kids call me years later to say thank you. That’s what’s rewarding: seeing that you helped someone.” 

He also loves receiving photo updates of his “grandkids” from children who used to be in his care, now adults with their own families. Even after decades, he describes the daily life as a foster parent as “sacred work.”

“I’m so proud of KVC and what they’ve accomplished in West Virginia,” said Kenneth. “They’ve walked alongside foster families and biological families alike. They’ve helped people heal. And they’ve given countless kids a fighting chance.”

Becoming a Foster Parent with KVC: What matters most is how much you care.

KVC supports foster parents across multiple states, providing the training, resources and community needed to succeed. If you’ve ever considered foster parenting, you don’t have to have all the answers to get started.

As Claire puts it, “If you’re considering it, your heart is already in it.”

KVC Health Systems supports foster parents in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and West Virginia, providing care to children in need and support to the compassionate parents who give them a safe place. If you’re interested in becoming a foster parent with KVC, learn more about the process here or read our free e-books, including a checklist to know if foster parenting is right for you, foster parenting FAQs and a guide to choosing the right foster care agency for you.

Additional Free Resources:

• Foster Parenting: Expectations vs. Reality
• What It’s Really Like to Foster Teens (And Why You Should Do It)
• Fostering Alongside Your Children: Creating Harmony in a Blended Family
• What to Expect as a New Foster Parent: 7 Crucial Aspects to Prepare For
• Say Yes: How to Confidently Decide to Become a Foster Parent
• Financial Planning Tips for First-Time Foster Parents
• Single Foster Parenting: What it’s Like & Why You Can Do It, Too!
• The 6 Common Types of Foster Care
• What Foster Parents Wish You Knew About Fostering Teens