Caring for others is second nature to Carol McMurtrie. Long before her own children were born, Carol became a foster carer and she has spent the last 23 years looking after kids who need a safe place to stay.
“I’ve always loved being around children and worked as a nanny when I was younger. Now I’m looking after kids who need extra support for a time,
“Witnessing a little person relax and put their trust in you is one of the best things about being a carer,” Carol who lives near Castlemaine, said.
“I look after a four-year-old girl with cerebral palsy and just seeing how her speech has come on in the last few years is incredible. It took us a little while to get a routine that worked for us, but she is thriving now.”
Carol has two teenage daughters and a menagerie of pets and animals on her rural property – life in the country can be a whole new experience for some of the kids who come to stay with Carol.
“Everyone has their part to play on the farm,” Carol adds. “For some kids it is the first time they have been around sheep, goats and horses. Being part of that caring environment and helping feed and look after the animals brings a great sense of achievement and responsibility.”
Playing a part in supporting a family to get their lives back on track is one of the most rewarding parts of foster care for Carol.
The biggest compliment for me is when a relative of the child thanks me for taking care of them. We often stay in touch with kids who have spent time with us, and it is so lovely to see them thriving and know you were there to provide care and space when they needed it. Carers get to be part of a positive change in a child’s life and it’s a good feeling to help them get back on track.
Carol adds that the skills she has picked up through training and courses on therapeutic care have helped her be a better parent to her own kids.
“We as a family have gained so much from the whole foster care experience. My daughters have grown up with an understanding that people can struggle to care for themselves or their families at different times of their lives and that the right support can make a huge difference.
“I’ve also learned the value of listening and understanding that experiences from your past can affect your behaviour. It’s a valuable lesson to stop and think about what someone has been through and why they are struggling to express their feelings instead of reacting instinctively.
“My girls would say that being a carer has definitely made me a more patient mum,” Carol laughs, “but I really appreciate the training and courses that are there for carers. That, along with the opportunity to check in with other carers and benefit from the wisdom of their experience, is a vital support to me and keeps me going.”