Couple Foster 117 Kids And Trouble Teenagers

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oi-Staff

By Staff

Monday, January 5, 2009, 12:34

Move on Brangelina, here is a couple who have fostered 117 children and continue to do so. Robert and Caroline Rejdak have received an MBE in the New Year Honours list for their unique services of nurturing the newborns and troubled teenagers within their protective wing.

The couple started their services at 1970 and have grown to even become grandparents to an adopted son and daughter. However, the inspiration to the couple came from a disabled son of a close friend whom they would care for and help out.

"I used to help out on odd days to give them a break and it got us thinking about other families in similar situations," the Telegraph quoted Mrs Rejdak, 58.

In spite of their age catching up with them, the couple have no intentions to slow down and are currently looking after two boys aged 12 and 18. The couple believe that the low standards of discipline is responsible for the troublesome lives of the teenagers today.

"We will carry on for as long as we physically can. You never stop getting pleasure from giving children a fresh start – they come here with a clean slate as far as we are concerned." says Mr Rejdak, 63, an estate management worker.

"No-one gets on with everyone and sometimes there isn't the right 'click' but it rarely happens. The teenagers we get now are very different to when we started 30 years ago there isn't any discipline any more and they know all about their rights and what we can't make them do.

"We don't have lots of rules but you do need boundaries. I think there is a shortage of foster parents because people want to look after babies and young children rather than teenagers who can be so difficult nowadays, even though it is more rewarding to help them," he added.