Blog

While we often assume fostering creates an instant family, connecting with the newly-placed youth in your care and building trust will likely take some time and […]

There are many things to consider when you become a foster parent, from helping your foster child feel welcome on the first day and creating a […]

For many kids, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, filled with twinkling lights, colorful decorations, festive music, brightly wrapped presents, parties […]

Maybe you can’t change the whole world, but you can change the whole world of a child. And while brightly wrapped gifts can bring so much […]

Halloween is lurking just around the corner, and Camelot has some tricks and treats for you! No, we’re not talking about lollipops, taffy, and chocolate bars. […]

If you are new to foster parenting or want to become a foster parent in the state of Illinois, you may feel a bit unsure about […]

Heading into a new situation is never easy, especially for children and teenagers in foster care. In our blog article, What Back To School Means For […]

Summer is the perfect time for making memories (and sweet treats) as a foster family. The sun is shining brighter and longer, and everything seems just […]

The early weeks of summer break can be a struggle for everyone, including foster kids and teens. The disruption in routine and structure that comes at […]

Did you know the month of May signifies both Mental Health Awareness Month and Foster Care Month? According to childwelfare.gov, “There are over 391,000 children and […]

Little kids can have big emotions. And for children of all ages in foster care, big emotions can be a common occurrence. Emotional regulation, or self-regulation, […]

Spring break is a welcome pause from school responsibilities, and it’s also a chance for foster family bonding and spending quality time together. With that said, […]

Foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. If you have opened your heart and home to a foster child or teen, […]

It’s the start of a happy new year for some, but for many children in foster care, the future seems filled with sadness and uncertainty. According […]

There’s no place like home for the holidays, and for children in foster care, this time of year can be anything but merry and bright. Instead […]

Preparing for the holiday season when fostering brings some unique challenges, but there is also a lot to be thankful for. Reporting on the health benefits […]

Halloween can be scary, in more ways than one! Naturally, you want your foster children to have a fun night, but as a parent, it’s also […]

Children in foster care often struggle with confidence and self-esteem for various reasons, including a history of neglect and abuse, abandonment issues, a lack of stability, […]

For many of us, back to school means shopping for new clothes, backpacks, and other supplies. For others, it’s the excitement of reconnecting with friends and […]

Summer is in full swing and the “back to school” season is looming straight ahead. If your foster child or teenager thrives on routine, being home […]

We’ve already discussed the positive impact fostering can have on biological children, including practicing empathy, learning how to share, and experiencing the joys of gaining a […]

As the school year winds down, most children are looking forward to a summer filled with fun and creating family memories. But for youth in foster […]

Spring is in the air, and it’s a time of new beginnings—so let’s get happy! Naturally, finding the hidden joy as a foster family takes time. […]

Becoming a foster parent begins with the licensing process, including an application, background checks, a home study, and training. Once licensed, Camelot looks at the needs […]

It takes a big heart to become a foster parent. In the US alone, nearly half a million kids are in foster care on any given […]

Over the past several years, our blog has served as a valuable resource for current and prospective foster families. Continuing that time-honored tradition, Camelot Care Centers […]

For most of us, the holiday season is filled with comfort and joy, but for children and teens in foster care, it can be a difficult […]

Many foster parents will tell you how grateful they are to be able to alter the course of a child’s life in such a significant way. […]

For many children, Halloween is an exciting time of year — a time for fall festivals, dressing up in fun costumes, and trick-or-treating. But sometimes, and […]

All children act out now and then. According to Psychology Today, this behavior is a young person “attempting to survive in this complex world.” But what […]

As young children and teenagers head back to school, it’s natural for parents to worry about bullying. According to stopbullying.gov, an official website of the US […]

When it comes to foster parenting, potentially harmful myths and misconceptions abound. If you have never met someone who has opened their heart and home to […]

Kids of all ages are looking forward to a fun and memorable summer. It’s easy to keep younger children busy with camps and trips to the […]

Imagine being suddenly uprooted from your home and family, through no fault of your own, and forced to live with strangers. This may be a scary […]

As any parent of a teenager will tell you, things change once children reach the age of thirteen. Gone are the days of holding hands as […]

Unless you personally know a foster family, or child or teenager taken into foster care, it’s hard to fully understand this vital need. For some, their […]

Let’s face it. Regardless of what your social media feed wants you to believe, there is no such thing as perfect parents or perfect kids. We […]

When you become a foster parent, you grow to love the children in your care. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to feel that same tenderness […]

As you prepare your family to welcome a foster child, you may be worried about how fostering will affect your biological children. This feeling is natural […]

Maybe you can’t change the whole world, but you can change the whole world of a child in foster care. Deciding to become a foster parent […]

There are many different ways to find the hidden joy as a foster family, including creating new holiday traditions together. This year, plan a family-friendly celebration […]

The holiday season can be a difficult time for children and teenagers in foster care, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding and creating […]

For many children and teenagers in foster care, November and December can be a difficult time of year. For some, it can be a sad reminder […]

Cooking is the perfect combination of science, math, social studies, and language arts — with a dash of creativity thrown into the mix! From reading a […]

Parenting is filled with both joys and struggles, whether you have biological, adopted, or foster children at home. With that said, transracial foster parenting (welcoming a […]

Are you looking for alternatives to trick-or-treating this year? Your house may not be haunted, but you can still give your foster children and teenagers something […]

Did you happen to see the recent movie, Instant Family, starring Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne? Based on a true story, the plot centers around a […]

If you have children or a foster teenager in your home, chances are you are starting the school year virtually (or will be shifting to distance […]

All foster children need a safe and stable home with someone to support and care for them. With that said, there are some in foster care […]

Parenting is perhaps the most important job in the world, whether you have biological children, or you have opened your heart and welcomed a child into […]

Every child is uniquely special — including children in foster care. From the top of their heads to the tip of their toes, foster children and […]

The start of summer brings sunshine, soaring temperatures and more free time for your bored foster teenager at home. Whether you are leaving the house to […]

When you hear the term foster family, what comes to mind? Many people automatically think of brave but clueless foster parents taking on a troubled teenager […]

Some potential foster parents may be intimidated by the idea of fostering a teenager or may worry they lack experience with this age group. While it […]

When fostering a teenager in your home, providing a space for a comfortable, inviting bedroom is key. Teenagers enjoy their privacy and want a space that […]

When a foster child enters your home, you have the chance to make them feel welcome from the moment they walk through your door. While showing […]

If you are in need of a few new ways to keep your foster teenager busy while learning from home, there are a variety of great […]

While it is easy for a teenager to fall into the same pattern of self-isolating and playing video games alone at home, there are ways to […]

While foster parents are helping children all around the globe, there are still many children waiting for a safe and stable home. Many children in foster […]

The weather is warming up, the sun is shining and kids are bouncing off the walls. Now is the perfect time to plan some outdoor activities! […]

While fostering provides a safe and stable environment for foster children, many continue to struggle with a variety of emotional and communication skills. Camelot Care Centers […]

All children deserve the chance to grow up in a safe and loving home. Choosing to provide foster care means providing a safe space, both physically […]

Foster children transitioning into adulthood need support, guidance and encouraged independence. While younger foster children become used to adults running the show, those entering adulthood need […]

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 […]

So you are considering becoming a foster parent? Congratulations! Fostering is a great opportunity to help a child in need, and you may just find opening […]

The holidays can be difficult for many foster children, but they can also be a great opportunity for foster parents to bond with their foster child […]

Foster children need one thing above everything else — security. Many foster children come from broken homes where they are moved around regularly. They may be […]

How many times do you stop and consider how grateful you are? Research shows that people who experience gratitude have more positive emotions and are overall […]

Deciding to engage in foster parenting means you are deciding to impact the lives of foster children in need. Whether you have just started researching the […]

Halloween is the perfect bonding time for you and your foster children. You can decorate, dress up and share an enjoyable evening trick-or-treating together. One way […]

Think about your brothers and sisters. Growing up together, you had time to make the childhood memories you have today. Children in foster care need time […]

While foster parenting starts off with a compassionate heart and a desire to help children, there are other things to consider before deciding whether it is […]

Whether you are already a parent or not, learning how to childproof your home is an important preparation step before your foster child’s arrival. Childproofing looks […]

While most children would prefer to be at home with their family, there are times that their safety and emotional well-being are better off in foster […]

Going back to school is an exciting time that is filled with change. But change can also be scary. It’s natural for children to feel a […]

While it helps to read up on foster parenting beforehand, nothing will prepare you like the actual experience. Inviting a foster child into your home is […]

Taking the leap to commit to foster parenting is a big decision. Inviting a new person into your home means your current life will change, and […]

Camelot Care Centers (also known as “Camelot”) has been serving children and adolescents in foster care since 1972, in hopes of reuniting them with their family […]

Last week, our blog covered how to help your foster child have a fun and memorable summer. Tips ranged from planning a trip together to finding […]

The school year is officially over and it’s time to celebrate! If you want to create a fun and memorable summer for your foster child, here […]

While foster children need love and positive attention, they also need boundaries and discipline to help guide them to make positive decisions. It is good to […]

While most people have good intentions, some people fall into stereotyping foster parents without realizing it. They may think foster parents have extra patience most humans […]

When your foster child first arrives, expect them to be guarded or quiet the first few days. Depending on their prior situation, they may be recovering […]

As a foster parent, it is your job to create a welcoming, safe environment where your foster child will feel at home. The best way to […]

Part of the job of a foster parent is to ensure that court-ordered visits with biological parents run smoothly. Doing so allows the foster child to […]

Choosing to foster affects the whole family, including your own children. While it may take some time for adjusting, fostering can be a positive and rewarding […]

When you think about foster families, you may envision two parents and maybe even a few siblings. The truth is, while some do, not every foster […]

While structured activities help create a safe space where foster children can thrive, it’s equally as important to give them time for imaginative play. Providing the […]

Deciding to bring a foster child into your home is a major decision for any foster family to make. The next step is to then prepare […]

Like any relationship, the bond you have with your foster child takes time to form. While some foster children bond right away with their foster families, […]

The word “foster child” carries a stigma with it as thoughts of a broken, abused, or disobedient child appear in one’s mind. Many people carry judgment […]

Choosing to foster means that you already have love to give and room in your heart to spare. Once your foster child is in your home, […]

Opening your home and heart to foster children means opening to the possibility that your foster child may have a learning disability or developmental challenge. Many […]

Becoming a foster parent to a toddler or preschooler can be a rewarding experience. However, it comes with it’s own unique challenges — especially if you […]

Deciding to foster parent means opening your heart and home to a child in need. Whether you have children of your own, or want to open […]

Foster Parenting can feel like a lonesome journey at times, with unique obstacles. Finding like-minded foster parents can help you to feel more connected with others […]

Inviting a foster child into your home means opening yourself up to the possibility of a long-term relationship. Not knowing when the foster child may leave […]

As we reflect on the past year and prepare for 2019, here are a few of our favorite inspirational quotes for foster parents (and families) — […]

Once your foster child arrives, you will want to make them feel welcome and part of the family. Participating in fun activities together can help you […]

All children have their moments of acting out. For foster children, this behavior may happen more often than not. While you cannot control if and when […]

Choosing to foster a child is one of the greatest gifts you can give. While fostering has many rewards, there are some unique challenges as well. […]

A loving and stable foster home starts with foster parents who are ready and excited to participate in the fostering experience. When it boils down to […]

The holiday season can be a difficult time for children in foster care, for so many reasons. If you’re not quite ready  to become a foster […]

The holiday season is upon us! Now what? Knowing how to properly prepare your foster child for family festivities can be daunting task. Making the season […]

Choosing to foster is a major decision for any family to make. Once the decision has been made and the process has been started, it’s time […]

Making the choice to foster a child is only the beginning. Now that you have taken the plunge, it is time to start thinking about what […]

Choosing to foster an infant or toddler in your home is a big decision. Foster parents of little ones this small must prepare for their home […]

Fostering is a rewarding yet challenging experience, especially when it comes to celebrating holidays. Children may have negative experiences tied to holidays, or they may not […]

Choosing to foster a teenager is a wonderful decision for any family to make. While there are many rewards to fostering a teenager in your home, […]

While fostering a child means background checks, paperwork, and training classes, there’s another important item to check off the list  — preparing your family. Start a […]

Preparing for a Home Study is a necessary part of the fostering process. Once the application and foster parenting classes are completed, the home study comes […]

You have all the traits of a good foster parent. And while there are challenges at times, your foster child is thriving with your support. With […]

Foster families are like other types of families in a lot of ways. Foster parents are there to help their foster children learn and grow. The […]

While going back to school means going back to a strict routine, it also means a chance for a fresh start. Whether your foster child struggled […]

Choosing to foster a child requires mental and physical preparation. With that said, you probably already possess many of the skills needed to successfully foster a […]

Choosing to provide foster care is a selfless act. Not only can it positively benefit a child in need, but it can also benefit you and […]

It is not easy to be displaced, regardless of the reason. And sadly, some foster children are used to temporary housing and moving from one place […]

Choosing to foster a child is a selfless act that changes your life forever. Inviting a new child into your home may lead to jealousy issues […]

The need for foster families is great, and becoming a foster parent isn’t that difficult to do. The state of Illinois partners with families to provide […]

The decision to become a foster parent isn’t an easy one to make — even when your heart is in the right place. While the choice […]