There are a lot of steps that have to be taken before welcoming a foster child into your home. There are classes to attend, home studies, licenses, and background checks, just to name a few. In all the planning, don’t forget talking to your biological children about what it means to accept a foster child. … Read moreHow to Talk to Your Children About Welcoming a Foster Child: 5 Conversations
Bedtimes can be challenging for foster children. They may need restful sleep even more than most kids, but they may have a tougher time getting it. Here are some tips for foster parents trying to make bedtimes easier. Importance of Sleep for Foster Children The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a helpful statement on childhood … Read moreBedtimes for Foster Children
Just like biological parents, most foster parents work outside the home. If you’re trying to figure out how to foster a child while you pursue your career, take a look at these suggestions that may help. Assess Your Workplace Culture It probably doesn’t come as any surprise that some companies are more family-friendly than others. … Read moreA Foster Parent’s Guide to Balancing Work and Home
Becoming a foster parent is a challenging and rewarding task. You’ll need a strategy to protect you from burnout so you can take care of yourself and the child you’re welcoming into your family. Try these 10 suggestions that will help you to stay happy and healthy. 1. Set Realistic Expectations: Clarify your priorities and … Read more10 Ways for Foster Parents to Avoid Burnout
You Are the Village Raising a child is the most important job any human being can do. Thus, it sometimes takes a village to raise one. You’ve probably heard the expression, but it’s easy to think of the village as an abstract idea. Personally identifying ourselves with our community changes our perspective on our role … Read moreIt Takes a Village to Raise a Child
Have you ever considered being a positive part of the foster system? Is your heart for providing secure homes to foster children but you are not sure you can commit to full-time foster care? Consider being a respite care provider and you just might find out that is exactly where you belong. What Exactly is … Read moreRespite Care: A Crucial Part of the Foster Care System
Coming into a new home is always scary for a misplaced child. They are no longer in the home of their biological parents, and they are in dire need of stability in their life. As the child grows and develops, it’s essential that they receive love and support from the adults in their life, and … Read moreThree Things to Tell Your New Foster Child
Never knowing the real history of a child can create a sense of helplessness when it comes to fostering them. Clearly, one of the greatest challenges for foster parents is to find a balance between comforting them and providing them with a safe and secure environment so they can feel that they belong. While it … Read more4 Surprising Ways to Help Foster Children Feel Safe and Welcome
Ask any foster family and you will know that fostering is very hard, but worth the effort. Fostering a child is not for everyone and that is okay. However, everyone can support foster families in their community by meeting short-term and long-term needs. Here are some practical things you can do to support these families … Read moreHow To Support Foster Families in the Short-Term and Long-Term
Fear is a very real part of life. Most kids are afraid of one thing or another. For example, they can be scared of the dark or monsters under the bed. Indeed, it is a normal part of growing up. Foster children, however, are plagued by fears based on the reality of personal experience. Perhaps … Read moreReal Fears That Plague Foster Children