New Foster Parent
Are you a new foster parent? Find advice to help you along on this journey!
First, congratulations on being new licensed foster parents! I am so happy for you!
If you haven’t completed your training yet and just looking for information on foster parenting, also welcome!
The best part about this advice is its good information that you won’t necessarily learn in your classes but from real foster parents themselves!
I’m going to start off with take everything with a grain of salt.
You’ll definitely be surprised and nothing ever goes as planned.
Keep your mind and your heart open.
As well as, remember as adults we are way more equipped to deal with the heartache then these innocent children.
You do sacrifice your heart but it’s for a very good reason!
In fact, here are a couple of things I’ve heard from other foster moms that stuck with me…
Foster parenting is the most heartbreakingly beautiful adventure! It’s not easy but it’s all worth it!
Expect the unexpected also if they say this placement will only be for 3 months or short term. Don’t always believe it because placements can turn into long term.
As a matter of fact, my husband and I have been licensed for three years now.
We have had four placements. With that said, the little guy placed with us right now was an emergency placement that was to only be short term.
We call him superman. Superman is legally blind and such an amazing little guy!
We have fallen head over heels for him. He was 6 weeks old when he was placed in our care.
He is now almost 2 years old and is thriving. We know that God hasn’t finished writing his story yet and we are hopeful to be a part of it. ❤️💙
What you need to be a Good Foster Parent
A good support system and that doesn’t mean you have to have a million friends or family members but it’s important that you have people that you can lean on for support, people that will listen.
You also need…
- Patience
- Compassion
- Self Control
- Kindness
- Optimism
Being new to the foster world it’s extremely important that you remember these kids come with pain and baggage. Even babies.
Be patient and take the time you need for yourself too.
No matter what, give them unconditional love, they need it!
Another written message from a foster mama, “Along this journey, you will find many “seasons” all of them are important. ALL will change you forever. ALL of them are hard… choose to find the happy in each of them!”
Setting up a Foster Child’s Bedroom
Real quick, find helpful ideas for getting things ready for children in your care here!
With that said, be prepared to own multiples of everything!
Find out if family or friends are getting rid of cribs, high chairs, baby monitors, toys, or hand me down clothes!
It will come in handy more than you know!
Also, check out garage sales or Once Upon a Child!
Children’s place is great for deals on clothes too.
Actually you can find a whole bunch of savings here just for foster families!
Tips for New Foster Parents
Lastly, try to be accomodating as much as possible to the children in your care.
For example, if they don’t like something that you cook perhaps make them a grilled cheese sandwich.
Little things like that can really add to the trauma they’re already experiencing.
You have no idea how much that could make a world of difference in a small child’s eyes.
Here are ten more helpful ideas for foster parents…
- Keep in mind you do not have to say, “yes” to every call.
- Make sure you listen to your gut. Love doesn’t fix all. Not all kids are for all homes.
- Communicate as much as possible through email and text so you can keep proof of conversations.
- Try your best to include every child’s culture into your daily routine.
- Remember that every child’s needs are different.
- Study the effects of trauma
- You can learn about almost anything on Youtube
- Make time for yourself
- Take time to connect with your spouse away from the kids
- Pick your battles
Prayers for strength, joy, peace, and blessings as you move into this new chapter in your life.
Just buckle up and hang on tight you’ve got this!
I wish you all the best! Good Luck!
