For Chrysanthi, fostering is more than care. It is a calling that has shaped who she is, helping her grow with empathy, purpose, and a deeper understanding of work-life harmony.
I am a Senior Associate in the Outsourcing Department and I have been with Grant Thornton Cyprus for almost two years. My work is demanding, rewarding, and full of learning. But there is another part of my life that has shaped me just as deeply, if not more. I am a foster mother, and that journey has transformed the way I see life, people, and balance.
The idea of fostering first appeared in my early twenties. Even as a young adult, I could not ignore the unhappiness and hardship I saw around me. I knew there were children who suffered, who felt lost, who did not understand why bad things had happened to them.
Long before I had my own child, I felt a calling to look out for children in need. It seemed so simple to me: every child deserves a safe and loving environment. The world is full of young souls waiting for kindness, stability, and acceptance. I wanted to be part of that.
Fostering has helped me grow personally and professionally. It has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of hope.
It has made me more empathetic, more compassionate, and more attentive to the emotions of others. These lessons have guided me at home and at work. They have helped me listen better, support others more openly, and approach challenges with calm and understanding.
Fostering has enriched my life in many small and meaningful ways.
I find joy in everyday moments.
I practise mindfulness and try to be present, to value emotions of every kind.
One of the biggest lessons is learning to be open, to trust my instincts, and to be comfortable with the unknown. Foster care teaches you to let go when you need to, and to hold on when it matters.
“Love is a choice, even when it is difficult. Watching a child heal, smile, and feel safe again is the greatest reward.”
Balancing professional responsibilities with the responsibilities of being a foster mother is not always easy. Foster care does not happen only during personal time. There are visits, meetings with authorities, and moments when you simply need to be fully present for a child.
Having flexible working hours has made a huge difference. It allows me to manage the demands of fostering while staying committed to my work. Harmony for me is not about perfection. It is about being able to give what is needed, when it is needed, at home and at work.
Joining Grant Thornton felt like joining a second family. When people hear about my fostering journey, they do not just accept it, they embrace it. They encourage me, they ask about the process, and they show genuine interest and respect.
The firm has given me the time I needed to attend Hope for Children meetings and has supported me throughout the entire process. This kind of understanding and humanity is not something you find everywhere.
Fostering requires commitment and a strong support system. It can be emotionally challenging, but it is also incredibly meaningful.
Seeing a child heal, smile, and feel safe again is priceless. Creating new experiences for them, showing them love and acceptance, and giving them a new sense of direction are among the most touching moments of my life.
For me, work-life harmony as it should be is about having an environment that respects your life, your family, and your responsibilities. Grant Thornton offers flexibility, stability, and a culture of genuine care.
They give us time to unplug and recharge. They trust us. They support us. I could not see myself working somewhere else.
To me, this is what work-life harmony is.