There’s going to be an adjustment period when you become a foster parent. In fact, this is true of all parents. We’re not all born with parenting skills. We learn them as time goes on by seeking resources and input. So, you might feel, when you start out, that you’re not doing a great job. But as long as you keep trying to do your best and keep communicating with your foster child, you will eventually become a great foster parent.
Speaking to Other Parents/Foster Parents
You can learn a lot about fostering a child by speaking with other foster parents. Or, if you don’t know any other foster parents, you can just speak to the parents of other children. You’ll find, to your relief, that they’re all going through the same thing. They might be struggling to resolve issues similar to your own. And some of them may actually have resolved these issues. So it’s a good idea to get their input on whatever might be troubling you.
Maybe your foster child is not very communicative. Or maybe they’re not doing very well in school. There might also be issues with bullying or feeling left out on the social scene. Don’t worry because all parents have to deal with these kinds of things at one point or the other.
Speaking to Teachers/Reading Books on Parenting
Besides talking to other parents, you might also want to talk to your foster child’s teacher and see if they have any input. Teachers are great people to talk to because they’ve had to deal with so many children. So their instincts about kids are always on point.
If you find that talking to other parents or teachers is not very useful, there are also a number of books about parenting that you could read. They’re written by psychologists, parents and teachers who have a lot of insight into the early years of a child. These years can be formative, so it’s important for them to go well.
Find More Input About Being a Foster Parent
Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help wherever possible if you’re unsure about some important parenting issues. Contact us for more information about raising your foster child.
