What do you usually do when you get new placements?

I've been thinking about how we'll do that when we get our first placement. I was thinking along the same lines as you. I'm interested to see if anyone else has different ides.

I am much less structered in my approach. I show them to their room right away and show them the house. If two bedrooms are available, I let them choose which one they want. I introduce them to my son and all of our pets and tell them the rules about the pets (wash your hands if you touch the turtles, never let the cat outisde, etc.) and the rules about not going into son's room unless invited. I let them know they can put their clothes in the dresser and closet whenever they want and I will help if they would like. I have found that with the four kids I have had, they don't like to immediately "move in". If they are already involved in extracurricular activites I would continue, otherwise I encourage to participate in as much as they want. For the most part I have not had kids who were involved in much and it is with me that they start going to school carnival, etc. I do set a bed time right away and start with a bed ritual within the first couple of days. And, I always tell them right away how happy we are to have them in our home and that I will make sure they are safe and have whatever they need until they are able to go back home.

wow, you're good, Lucky777!! In NY, the case workers enroll the kids in school. With my first placement, I took them to the daycare. After that, there was no planning. I'm not that organized!! I salute you!!

I usually try to keep things as simple and normal, as possible... Unfortunately, in the fostering arena, there is nothing simple and normal... so we do the best that we can.I usually only address rules that are "necessary" (as in a kid breaks a rule), because we have found that after their lives have been flipped upside down they generally don't retain a lot. I find they learn the most by watching the how the household runs, instead of being given lists.I generally use the first full day that a child is with us to get a physical from the dr... address any medical/emotional issues and enroll them in school. Also, this day, I let the child choose what we will have for dinner. The third day or so, I will have them shadow someone on a chore (that they will have the following week) so that they can see how it is done. I also have chore sheets posted in the room of the chore that tells them step by step, what needs to be done in order to complete the chore satisfactorily. (Again, for retention). Generally, after the 5 day hearing (when we have a "plan" as to how long the child is likely to be with us... also, they have a touch of stability... we review rules more in depth and talk about longterm goals, events and such... some necessary things like counseling/therapy/school expectations, etc... and other (more fun) things like extracurricular activities, family trips planned... etc.Anyway, hope this helps!

Depends on their ages, and how they arrive. Usually its something to eat or drink, like guests, show them where the bathroom is, sit around the table with the cw or whomever brings them here, and have a friendly chat about light expectations, and reassure them that we are safe, and then next day, usually we sit them down and talk about what we do, find out what they like, and bring flexibility into the whole picture, but with certain boundaries laid out and a bit of structure. Little ones, we have an orderly routine, bath and bed are at the same times so they can have some expectations. I have been slack on chores, they have a lot on their plates usually around here, with visitation, school, or daycare and having some free time to play. As the children are usually used to doing what they want when they want at their parents, its a shock for them to have structure and some like it, some don't.