There is often a pressure, when you first open your home, to be everything all at once. To have the perfect routine, the perfect answers, and as Alison laughs about, the Christmas tree up on the exact right day.
But in this instalment of Journey of Hearts, Alison and Michael strip back those expectations to reveal what actually matters: simply being there.
When asked what they want for the little one in their care, the answer wasn’t about grades or milestones. It was about a fundamental sense of security.
Our dreams and hopes for our little baby, would be that she's happy. She's safe. She knows she's loved... That she has the most amazing life.
This is the bedrock of the fostering journey. It isn’t about fixing everything overnight; it is about offering a steady promise that says: I am in your corner. As Alison puts it, they want her to know that if she needs anything, "she can pick up the phone... and I'll be there in a second."
One of the most relatable moments in this video is the advice Michael gives when things feel overwhelming. It is easy to feel like every decision is life or death, but the reality is often much softer than that.
Alison admits she has learned to "slow down". Michael reminds her that the world won’t end if the Christmas tree doesn't go up tonight, or if a task waits until tomorrow. "That's not going to be life or death," he tells her.
In a world that demands we move at "100 miles an hour," foster care asks us to change gears. It asks us to move at the child's pace, not the world's, so we're calm & collected allowing foster carers to give their best to the children in their care.
The Journey of Hearts is not a path you are meant to walk alone. Alison speaks warmly about the "Origins family" – the training, the Family Days, and the simple relief of being in a room with people who get it.
Whether it’s a Carer Appreciation Day or a seasonal party, these events aren't just dates in the diary. They are lifelines.
"It's different because they're going through the same thing you're going through," Alison explains. "It's lovely to go and meet other foster parents, talk to them and find out their story."
By connecting with other carers, swapping tips, and simply chatting, the load becomes lighter. You realise that your challenges are shared, and your victories are celebrated by a community that understands.
If you'd like to learn more about becoming a foster carer with Origins, you can check out one of the links below to take your next step:
→ Learn more about the supports Origins provides every foster carer
→ Explore our Become a Foster Carer page to see how you can get started fostering
→ Join one of our upcoming online Fostering Info Sessions
→ Or Apply Online to Become a Foster Carer if you're ready to take the next step
Reach out for any questions and enquiries. A member of our fostering team will get back to you as soon as possible.
