The Unexpected Joys of Becoming a Foster Granny in Your Golden Years

What happens when life takes an unexpected turn, and you still feel called to give back? In this inspiring episode, we meet a “Foster Granny” who began fostering after losing her husband. She shares the challenges and joys of opening her home later in life—from providing routine and structure to building trust with children in care. She discovered that fostering not only transforms children’s lives but also brings purpose, growth, and healing for caregivers themselves. “I used to be a Sunday school teacher, and my husband was a pastor. When he passed away in 2020, I kept myself busy—I did all the waterfalls, the hiking, the kayaking, all the activities. But something was still missing: the kids. After seeing commercials on TV about how desperate the area was for foster parents, I thought, ‘Well, maybe I should look into this and see if they will take an old, widowed lady like me.’” –VictoriaIf you have ever wondered whether it is too late to foster, this story proves the opposite: it is never too late to make a difference. What you will learn in this episode: How one widow found new purpose by becoming a foster parent The transition from respite care to full-time fostering Practical ways to build trust and maintain healthy routines The role foster parents play in reunification and supporting families Why flexibility and genuine care are essential in fostering Encouragement for anyone considering fostering later in life Timestamps:  00:00 – Introduction and purpose of the podcast  00:27 – Entering foster care after loss  01:34 – Motivations and first fears  02:52 – From respite to full-time fostering  03:48 – Building trust with children  04:52 – Creative strategies for connection  06:29 – Becoming “Foster Granny” and lasting bonds  07:12 – Shared parenting and supporting birth families  10:28 – Fulfillment and life lessons  12:56 – Family traditions and favorite fostering moments  13:59 – Encouragement for fostering teens  16:05 – Challenges, self-esteem and school support  18:28 – Role of social workers and daily routines  20:58 – Structure, meals and meeting children’s needs  23:18 – Advice for prospective foster parents  25:27 – Encouraging new experiences  27:19 – Persevering through challenges  28:56 – Respite vs. full-time fostering  29:58 – Family reactions and dualized parenting  43:21 – Preparing kids for transitions  47:45 – Modeling play and relationships  49:29 – Personal growth and children’s resilience  50:49 – Final encouragement  51:39 – Closing and how to get involved  Episode Resources: Catch up on previous episodes of In Real Life: Foster Care Unfiltered here: https://chsnc.org/about/podcast/ For more information about Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, visit: chsnc.org To be a guest on the podcast, email: [email protected] To learn more about foster care, visit: https://chsnc.org/adoption-and-foster-care/get-started/ Let’s be friends! Follow us on social media:  Facebook: @chsnorthcarolina  Instagram: @chs_nc LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/chs-nc YouTube: @chsnc