Foster Care question - We are new to Foster Care and would like insight

Hi, We are completing our foster care home study and Jose and I have a question we would like current foster parents to provide insight and responses. What changes did you make in your home and family in order to be successful as a Foster Parent? Thanks in advance, Nicole & Jose

First: change your way of thinking. Foster kids need love, structure and things that non-foster kids have. Example: grounding as a punishment. A bio kid would be grounded and sent to his/her room. Big no-no for foster kids. They need time-ins. Keep them with you as much as possible. Structure as much as possible. Do things that become traditions. We would drive around looking at houses on Christmas Eve, then have hot chocolate. Keep in mind, that a foster child will have anxiety, have gone through trauma and will have experienced some type of abuse/neglect. Also: because of the trauma, foster kids brains "freeze". Their emotional age may not be their physical age. You have to parent the stage, not the age. Good luck!!

Hi Millie,Thank you so much. You are so kind to support our efforts. We will keep you updated and if we have another question I pray you will not mind if I reach out to you.Kindest regards,Nicole and Jose

Please reach out.