In the lead-up to Father’s Day we’d like to acknowledge and thank the men who open their homes and their hearts to foster children.

Forty per cent of Baptcare’s accredited foster carers are men. They provide a safe and nurturing environment for kids who need support, either as single care givers or with their partners.

Tony, foster dad to seven year-old Amber*, will experience a very special father’s day this year. Tony and his wife Sam have been foster carers for Amber for nearly three years. In late August, Sam gave birth to beautiful and healthy twins, instantly swelling the numbers of their close and loving household from three to five.

Three years ago Tony and Sam were investigating international adoption because they were unable to have children of their own at that time. They stumbled across some information about foster care and decided to try short-term respite care through Baptcare.

Their first foster care experience after their accreditation was respite care for Amber, whose carers were going away for a short time. Both Tony and Sam found the experience enjoyable and very rewarding and have since continued to provide foster care to kids in need. A long term foster care arrangement with Amber developed, and she settled into their household just in time for them to take her to her first day of school.

According to foster mum Sam, Amber is sporty, outgoing, and athletic. She says Amber, “can wrap Tony around her little finger. She knows she can go to Tony at any time and get a hug.”

Tony loves to take Amber camping, and an aspect of being a foster dad that he really enjoys is socialising with other families with kids. “Actually we’ve made some really good friends through foster care…lifelong friends”, says Tony.

With the birth of the twins, Tony now has two additional little people as well as Amber to nurture and care for. He can use some of the parenting tips and tricks he has been picking up through his foster care experience.

We wish Tony and all of the other foster dads a very happy father’s day, and all the thanks (plus burnt toast, spilled orange juice and socks) that they deserve.

Baptcare is looking for foster carers in the Western and inner Northern suburbs of Melbourne. If you can open your heart and your home to one or more children we’d love to hear from you. Contact Ana on 03 9373 3800 and start the conversation today.

*Some names have been changed for privacy

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