The Pluses And Minuses Of Long Term Foster Care
December 20, 2019
How To Help Foster Children Transitioning Into Adulthood And College
January 24, 2020
So, you have decided foster parenting is right for you. Now what? While looking into fostering resources is a good idea, it also helps to have additional advice about things you never considered. Read on to learn 5 pieces of advice for future foster parents.
- Keep House Rules Simple
Let’s face it — starting over in a new home with new people is enough to overwhelm anyone. Add new house rules to the mix and it is no wonder foster children arrive confused and struggle to adjust. Help your foster child start off on the right foot by creating a clear list of expectations. This could include things such as a reminder to ask before using the internet or may include a firm bedtime for turning off all electronic devices. Keep your list around 5-6 rules, so that your foster child is aware of boundaries without feeling added stress.
- Remember “You” Time
Once you get going on a routine with your foster child, you may find yourself overwhelmed with little time for self-care. To remedy this, make sure to carve out downtime for yourself. Whether it be a half hour in the evening to take a bath or an appointment to go get your hair done, making time for you is vital to refresh and recharge.
- Understand Some Things Are Out Of Your Control
While you can offer a safe and stable environment and set rules and boundaries within your home, there are some things regarding your foster child that are outside of your control. Many times you are only seeing a part of the case that affects your foster child. Trust your social worker to do everything according to plan to ensure the best life for your foster child. To help, you may be asked to document issues and assist with counseling sessions. Remember that it takes a team to help a foster child to not only survive but to thrive as well.
- Know Not Everyone Will Understand
While your close relatives may cheer you on for fostering, others may criticize and offer ill-advice. When others try to get you down, take time to remember why you decided to foster in the first place. Remind yourself the good you are doing for both your foster child and yourself. Ultimately no one is going to fully understand your situation but you.
- You Will Love Your Foster Child
Without expecting it, you may find yourself loving your foster child as if they were your own. It is natural and normal to form a bond with a child under your care within your home. The most difficult part of fostering is when it is over; you can only hope that you did all you could to help your foster child along their personal journey.
Opening your space to provide foster care for a child in need is a selfless act, but it isn’t always easy. While foster agencies can offer support and advice through classes, ultimately you will learn best through experience. Use these pieces of advice to help guide you on your journey as a foster parent today.
Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency licensed by the State of Illinois, a member of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
