Foster parent
A parent figure who is not biological — care given by a person who chose the role rather than being given it.
A foster parent in a dream is the dream's image of parental care given by a person who chose the role rather than receiving it from birth. The foster parent's authority is not biological; the bond is built by the work of being present, day after day, until the place is filled. The dream brings the foster parent when something in your life — a teacher, an older friend, a stepfigure — has done the parental work for you, or for someone in your care, without the original credential. A foster parent honestly thanked is the dream affirming that the chosen care has been received as care. A foster parent given less standing than the absent biological one is the dream noting that the person who actually did the parenting is being rated below the one who did not, on grounds the work does not support.