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Having already gone through the paperwork and home visits, I now only have two weeks and one last visit til I'm licensed (have to make up a PRIDE session missed because of snow) and, from what I've been told, about 38 seconds later, I can expect my first call. It seems I have our Investigators and Caseworkers salivating because I want to foster teenagers.
Am I nuts? *chuckle* No, I promise, I'm not. But, I'm wondering if anyone has any words of advice? I have friends and family who are parents or have fostered but I've never parented for more than a few months (nephews when my sister was very ill) so, it's pretty much all new to me.
So, any words of wisdom to impart? I've already asked lots of questions of my PRIDE instructors, friends and family, but it's hard to ask questions when you're just not aware of the questions to be asked.
One additional note: I'm 58, a single woman and just retired last week, if that helps any.
Thanks!
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You will be ' Stellar', and Any Teenager would be fortunate to have you as a Mom!!
Can I ask what are your expectations with Teenagers please??
Case Managers love you because everyone else wants 'Little Ones'!!
Being Retired or At Home you also have a ton of time to devote to a Teenager!!
Welcome to The ' Fostering Teenagers Club ' Mom!!
Juli
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My expectation with teenagers is to have my life immediately and completely turned upside but other than that... *chuckle*I know this may sound odd, maybe even wrong, but I don't want to foster to be a parent, I want to foster to make a difference in a life while there's still a good chance to make that difference. My expectations (hopes?) are that any foster teen I might get is someone who I can engage in his or her own life in a way that they will take with them when they're out in the world.I know it will likely be a very difficult uphill battle but I'm willing to take this type of battle on and stick with it as long as it takes. And I'm ready to take on, with that child, any obstacles in the way and that means providing him or her with support and teach them how to meet those obstacles on their own.Yeah, whew, like I said, an uphill battle but again, for me, it's the fostering as a parent not as a parent who is fostering, if that makes sense?So you can see...*chuckle*...I'm clueless as to what the reality will be but know that it has to be something learned as I go and as any foster child I get responds and needs. And, I need help along the way.
My expectation with teenagers is to have my life immediately and completely turned upside but other than that... *chuckle*
I know this may sound odd, maybe even wrong, but I don't want to foster to be a parent, I want to foster to make a difference in a life while there's still a good chance to make that difference. My expectations (hopes?) are that any foster teen I might get is someone who I can engage in his or her own life in a way that they will take with them when they're out in the world.
I know it will likely be a very difficult uphill battle but I'm willing to take this type of battle on and stick with it as long as it takes. And I'm ready to take on, with that child, any obstacles in the way and that means providing him or her with support and teach them how to meet those obstacles on their own.
Yeah, whew, like I said, an uphill battle but again, for me, it's the fostering as a parent not as a parent who is fostering, if that makes sense?
So you can see...*chuckle*...I'm clueless as to what the reality will be but know that it has to be something learned as I go and as any foster child I get responds and needs. And, I need help along the way.