A Snapshot from the Village is our series sharing the experiences, stories and reflections of the people who help make up the Lutheran Care foster care community, as part of Foster and Kinship Carer Week. In this latest snapshot, we meet Rachel, who shares what led her to become a foster carer, the joy her daughter has brought to her life and the lessons she has learned along the way.
Sometimes, inspiration comes when you least expect it. For Rachel Smith, the idea of becoming a foster carer came while sitting in a park in New York.
“I was sort of analysing my life and thought, I’ve got my house. I’ve got great friends. I’ve got supportive family. I have a job I love.”
As snow began to fall, Rachel looked up and realised she was sitting beside an orphanage.
“I looked up and thought, well, maybe this is a bit of a sign.”
When she returned home, Rachel registered to begin training as a foster carer.
Rachel had always had children in her life, with six godchildren, but she had never imagined having a biological child of her own; “I had a philosophy that there were so many children out there that were already here and that just needed safety, love and support.”
Today, Rachel is mum to an eight-year-old girl who has been in her care since she was young. Rachel describes herself as her daughter’s ‘heart mum’, alongside her daughter’s ‘tummy mum’.
“She feels very lucky that she has two mums: a tummy mum and a heart mum.”
Being open about her daughter’s foster care story is important to Rachel. “I don’t shy away from the fact of referring to her as my foster daughter because it’s something that we’re both very proud of.”
For Rachel, this year’s Foster and Kinship Carer Week theme, Creating Brighter Futures Through Care, is about giving children a strong foundation from which they can grow.
“To me this means that by creating a solid foundation of care and support, this will enhance the opportunities and self-belief in children in care that they can be whatever and whoever they want to be now and in the future.”
Rachel has seen the joy in many of the small moments that come with raising a child, from school milestones to family celebrations. One moment in particular will stay with her forever.
“My daughter didn’t speak until she was three years old and I had the absolute honour of hearing her first word.”
“There were so many ‘little’ milestones – her first day of kindy, school, her first school disco, her first birthday invitation … so, so many moments I will treasure forever!”
Being a foster carer has also taught Rachel about herself.
“She has taught me patience, unconditional love, increased self-belief, to look at life’s challenges in a more creative and light-hearted way.”
Rachel is a single foster carer, and she says having support around her has been vital.
“With the foster care system… there are extra layers… challenges that a tummy mum and dad wouldn’t necessarily have to deal with. But it’s organisations like Lutheran Care that are there to not only support my foster daughter, but also support me.”
For Rachel, that support is part of the village that surrounds her daughter. “They say it takes a village and for me, Lutheran Care and the department are part of our village.”
One of her greatest joys has been watching her daughter become part of that wider village, particularly with Rachel’s parents, whom Rachel’s daughter calls Nan and Pop.
“I’m an only child, so she is their only grandchild and she is their grandchild regardless.”
Rachel says fostering has also helped the people around her better understand that every child’s story is different. Her daughter has also taught people that whatever your circumstances or where your journey begins, you can create your own path and shape your own future.
“Like all parenting situations, things are not always easy but as long as you have an open heart and open mind and work as a team, things have a way of working themselves out,” she says.
“I feel very lucky to have her in my life.”
RELATED CONTENT: A Snapshot from the Village | Chris and Michelle | Foster and Kinship Carer Week
A Snapshot from the Village | Angela | Foster and Kinship Carer Week