Date Nights Offer Foster Parents a Night Off!

Foster parents step into one of the most important and challenging roles in our community. They open their homes to children who have often experienced deep hurt, loss, and uncertainty. They provide safety, stability, and love—sometimes on a moment’s notice. And while their hearts are big, foster parents are still human.

That’s why regular nights off matter.

Just like any parent, foster parents need time to recharge. But unlike most parents, they are often carrying unique challenges: helping children navigate trauma, working with multiple systems (courts, DSS, schools, therapists), and managing transitions that can happen without warning. Without time to rest, the load can become too heavy to carry alone.

A night off doesn’t mean a lack of commitment—it means sustainability. When foster parents get a chance to enjoy dinner with a spouse, attend a child-free Bible study, go for a walk with a friend, or simply sit in quiet, they return to their kids refreshed and better able to pour out love and patience.

This is where community steps in. Respite care providers, volunteers, churches, and support groups can make all the difference by offering safe, trusted care so foster parents can breathe. A few hours of relief may not seem like much, but it can keep a family from burning out and help them continue saying “yes” to children who need them.

We love all our friends and partners in serving at Return Baptist Church ! For many years now, they have hosted a back to school date night for children in foster care and their siblings.

They always are amazingly welcoming and plan such fun activities!