A day in the life of Karyn

Take a look at what life looks like for Karyn and her partner Ron who are currently caring for three children.

How do your mornings usually start?

With a cup of tea in hand (or where I forget where I put it); hit the ground running.

Tea or Coffee?

Tea.

What is the first cereal or spread to run out in your household?

Weetbix Bites.

What takes up most of your day?

Housework, work, animals.

You leave the house, and a child has forgotten something. What’s it most likely to be?

Water bottles.

Do you head to any outside-school activities?

Yes, swimming and sense rugby.

What is your least favourite type of homework?

Getting the kids to do it!!!

What is your evening routine like?

Ron supervises the kids, for toilet and showers, as I cook dinner to have it on the table as the last child is dressed. Chill time for kids while we feed the animals, toilet, teeth and bed sporadically.

What’s your favourite thing to do when you have free time?

Talk on the phone and catch up with family and friends.

What’s the children’s current favourite show to watch?

YouTube Minecraft.

What’s the most common excuse you hear from the children explaining why they’re out of bed?

Need something to drink.

How did you feel when the children in your care arrived to stay with you?

Grateful, excited, humbled.

What are the children’s greatest strengths or skills?

• 10-year-old—determination, outlook on life, happy, extravert.
• 9-year-old—leader, finds it easy to talk to people, strong willed.
• 7-year-old—friendly, gets along with everyone, easy going.

What are some of the ways you keep the children connected to family or culture?

We talk about the boys’ family like they are part of our family.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

To take away the pain, the hurt, the trauma and the effects of neglect.
Why? Because every kid deserves the right to have the best life without the baggage.

If you could have 3 wishes for your children in care, what would they be?

• To live a functional, fulfilled life.
• To be truly happy with who they are and the direction they are heading.
• For them to know no matter what happens, we are always here for them.

How would you sum up being a foster carer in one word or sentence?

Inspirational.

If you could say one thing to encourage other people to become a carer like you, what would it be?

It is a journey with so much love. These little people will imprint in your heart.

How has being a foster carer impacted your life?

It has made me a better person. These little people have taught me so much, most importantly, to never give up.

Do you have a favourite story or special memory about a moment where you could see that you’ve made an impact in a child’s life?

The first time we took our 10 year old to the park (who was two at the time), when he came into our home, his eyes went so big, his mouth wide open, he squealed in delight over and over again. And, after we were told he would never walk and never be more than the developmental stage of a three month old, he took his first steps and has never stopped proving all the doctors wrong. To be a fully functional young man today, he just needed someone to believe in him and to show him the world was waiting.

Name one thing (or more) a child in your care has specifically thanked you for.

I had a young man and his dad (after reunification) come and thank me over and over again for the life changes I made to both their lives; teaching the child life skills like cooking and how to wash his clothes, and the dad thanked me for teaching his son the importance of school, and giving him the drive for the future.

Why do you do it (fostering)?

Every child deserves a chance to be the best they can be.