Question:

I am hoping to become a foster parent.

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Right now I am only 16 but in the future (as an adult) I would really like to be a foster parent and hopefully adopt some children, if I find myself caring for some that cannot go back to their birth families.

I would like to know if there are any major specific requirement associated with being a foster parent, things like If they want people to be a high school graduate or what.

I live in Alberta Canada, If I could get a link to a site that shows some sort of list of riquirements that would be great.

Also, If I could get suggestions from people who are or have been foster parents, or have been in a foster home, that would be great.

I am very pacient and study spychology daily. I will be taking a course within the next two years. I will also be taking an anger management course. not because I have an anger problem, but because I think I could learn skills that could help me as a foster parent.

So please, links, advise, anything you got, I'll be happy to hear. Good, bad, everything! If anyone would like to keep in touch to discuss things that may take longer, please email me at sashaleftley@yahoo.com

I am going to finish school, I am an honor student, I don't do drugs and never have, same with smoking and alcohol. I am not overly religious. please do not make assumptions due to anything I may have left out.

Thank you in advance

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4 ANSWERS


  1. We have a sweet little 7 week old boy named "Michael" staying with us. He is going home to his mama on Saturday maybe as early as tomorrow. Of course we will miss him but I would like to think we did our little part in helping this family. We met his mom and she is a doll and decided not to place her son for adoption with social services. She was afriad that because of his disabilities she may not be a good parent. Luckily her mom and dad will be helping her and her baby boy.

    You need to love these children unconditionally and like they were your own. All the while knowing this situation is temporary.


  2. I've been fostering in Alberta for a number of months now and we just adopted one from the Foster to Adopt program.  I've never heard of any educational requirements but obviously the more schooling you can get the better...for anything you do in life.  

    I think if you check out the links I have provided below you will find a wealth of information.  Please feel free to contact me through my profile here if you have any other questions or would like to discuss things that maybe you can't find answers for.  As I said, I know the Alberta system, in particular the way things work in Edmonton.

  3. Hi.  I think it is nice that you are thinking about fostering children when you get older.  

    I was a foster kid from 7 until I aged-out at 18.  Let me give you my perspective of what foster kids want and need.

    We want someone who will be kind and gentle because most people in our lives have been mean and harsh.

    We want people with the patience of a saint, because chances are we did not learn the best behaviors. I never sat at a table to eat until I was 8 years old. I hid food in my closets and under my bed. I did not know if there would be enough. It took time and patience from my foster parents.

    We want people who know how to set appropiate limits and boundaries because most likely our boundaries have been severely violated.  Boundaries are not punishment.  When in place, they help us grow and develop.

    We want people to know that we are smart, but it is really HARD to learn when you are scared everyday, tired, hungry, or always moving. Every move a foster child makes usually sets them back 6 months in school.

    We want people to know that we are a product of our past. That can be changed, but it takes time and understanding.

    We want people to know that we are probably VERY angry and hurt.  These feelings will be displayed at you, but mostly they are about our bio-families.  How you as the foster parents deal with our feelings is very important.

    We want people to know that we are just KIDS and need lots of love.

    If you are thinking of fostering, it would be great. But please, make sure you are ready because being abandoned over and over because people decide they can not do it kills a kid's spirit.

  4. I'm sorry I can't help, but I wanted to say that you are a very kind person to want to be a foster parent. I wish you all the best in your goal and I think you would make a great foster parent!! Good luck hun! :0)

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