For so many people thinking about fostering, one question stops them in their tracks: “What will this do to my own children?”
It’s the most natural, loving, and important question a parent can ask. How do you protect the heart of your own family while opening it up to a child in need?
In our latest podcast episode, host Eithne Larkin sits down with Erin, a foster carer from Donegal who understands this question from all sides. Erin’s story is beautifully full-circle: she grew up in a fostering household and was so inspired by that experience that she and her husband now foster two teenage sisters alongside their own two young sons.
This is a conversation about the "pebble in the pool," exploring the small, loving actions that ripple out to make a life-changing impact. It’s about the joy of hearing a child really laugh for the first time, the profound realisation that small details, like a wallpaper pattern, can become a cherished memory of 'home' for a child, even 20 years later, and the immense hope that comes from giving a child a chance to see a new path for their future.
You can listen to the full conversation with Erin on Voices – The Origins Foster Care Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:
As someone who grew up in a fostering family herself, Erin was acutely aware of this challenge. In the episode, she shares why Origins' thoughtful approach to matching and age gaps was so important for her family. She discusses how the right match can prevent competition and create a beautiful new dynamic, allowing everyone in the home to flourish.
Many experienced parents wonder if they need more training. Erin answers with a resounding "yes," calling it "of paramount importance."
In our conversation, she explains why fostering is a "very different experience" from raising your own children. She shares powerful, must-hear examples of how specialist training gave her critical insights into childhood trauma and the importance of supporting cultural identity – things she never would have learned otherwise.
This episode is a beautifully honest look at the realities of fostering. It's about being open to support, humble enough to learn, and willing to be vulnerable.
It’s also about the uncertainty. Many people worry, "What if I get attached and the child has to leave?". Erin offers a powerful, reassuring perspective on why taking that emotional risk is at the very heart of what it means to be a foster carer.
I think it's far better that we decide to take the burden... so that the child has a chance of experiencing something positive and put them on a new trajectory.
For anyone wondering if they have what it takes, Erin’s advice is simple: just take the first step.
If Erin's story has resonated with you, and you have room in your home and your heart, you could be the difference for a child.
To hear the full story and all of Erin's insights, listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and be sure to check out our first episode with Andrew Murphy from IFCA. To learn more about fostering with Origins Foster Care and to take your first step you can:
→ 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.
