This post is Tip #5 from 10 Foster Care Tips on Effective Fostering. Foster care offers opportunities to work with many different individuals. Of the many, two of the most important relationships for foster parents are the county social workers and the biological parents. They hold great influence and power to impact a foster child’s life in significant ways. It is important to build a strong … [Read more...] about How to Build a Strong Relationship with Social Workers and Biological Parents
Navigating the System
Lesson 4: You are an Advocate, not just a Foster Parent
Just three days shy of turning five, she was dropped off to live with us. We were her second placement. From the moment she stepped into our home, all she talked about was her upcoming birthday. She couldn't wait. It was something for her to look forward to. Birthdays are fixed. It doesn’t change. Two days later, one day before her fifth birthday, I received a phone call from the court informing … [Read more...] about Lesson 4: You are an Advocate, not just a Foster Parent
Lesson 3: How to Get and Keep the Support You Need in Fostering
There is a lot of similarities between fostering and becoming a brand new mom. I survived my first week as a brand new mom on the phone, asking for help. I had just delivered a sweet little boy through an emergency c-section and finally got settled in to our home. Many moms talked about how they hated being in the hospital, but me, I loved it. Every couple of hours someone came in to … [Read more...] about Lesson 3: How to Get and Keep the Support You Need in Fostering
Lesson 2: Get comfortable with ambiguity and ask for clarity.
*You don't want to miss the first lesson on Effective Fostering. Go to Lesson 1: Know Thy Self and be on the road to smart and effective fostering.* The telephone rang. “Please bring Johnny to the DCFS office within an hour. The court has ordered reunification.” “I'm sorry what?! I thought you recommended against reunification? I thought you thought it was really unlikely it would be … [Read more...] about Lesson 2: Get comfortable with ambiguity and ask for clarity.
Introduction to the 10 Foster Care Tips to Effective Fostering
Starting on the foster journey? Welcome. January 22, 2015, is a date that I will remember for a long time. It is the date we received our first foster placement. To me, it feels a little like the date that I gave birth as a surrogate. At 7:30 pm, we welcomed into our home and into our hearts twin eight-month-olds. We didn't think we can handle twins but with God's grace and lots of help from … [Read more...] about Introduction to the 10 Foster Care Tips to Effective Fostering
Lesson 1: Know Thyself – Limitations and Capacity
Bed in place? Check! Dresser in place? Check! A stuffed animal ready for snuggles? Check! Locks in place? Check! Kitchen knives put away? Check! Our house has cleared the last walk through. We have been certified. We are ready! So, we think. My husband and I thought so. But, we learned some hard but important lessons on becoming effective foster parents. Many of us enter fostering excited, … [Read more...] about Lesson 1: Know Thyself – Limitations and Capacity