What are the very first baby steps someone should take when considering being a foster parent?

Question

My husband and I would like to be foster parents someday, at the bare minimum when our kids have entered school (5 years) and probably more like 8-10 years. Is there anything we can do now to learn about what foster parenting is actually like? What to expect, etc.? Is there anywhere I could volunteer, even living in a small town, that might help ready me for the experience?

Thanks~

Answer 1

Check on how your local child protective service works.

In my community, they have a program for emergency foster care, where you would take a child for shorter term until they find a more permanent situation.  It's like practice.

So put the name of your city followed by the words foster care, into the search box and do some homework.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Look up your local foster care agency, often they run information sessions which are great and non-committal.

There are also online fostercare courses that are interesting.

We started by doing weekend respite, it was great, slow and not scary!  The kids came Friday night and left Sunday evening.

As we 'grew' in fostering and experience we widened what we did.

Don't be scared to face emotions, many don't foster because they don't think they can handle giving kids back.  

It's better to have Loved and Lost than never loved at all!!!

especially for that kid.

That was 9 years ago.

Not to scare you but we now have 9 kids in our home. eeeekkkk

It's a big home, we own a 14 seater bus, we are noisy, fun, busy but it's great.

Not many go that far, but our groups are siblings and we didn't want them separated. LOL

I'll have Lots and lots of grandkids one day hahahahaha

Answer 3

Having a kid friendly home.... If your home is all neat and full of antiques then i would feel like my foster parents were strict uptight ppl.

Answer 4

Ignore idiotic responses.  

It's great to take time to love someone other than your own kids. Yes, there are many that need love and good attention.  A young lady and her husband that lives across the street has foster children (3 siblings) for almost 3 yrs.  I pray and hope that they can keep them.  They want children so much.

I was adopted and seeing this rekindles the warmth of my adoptive parents.

First, seek info go online. There are certain rules and regulations about discipline, emergencies, etc.  Know the full scoop.  A lot of foster parents eventually adopt the child.  

I really wish I was in a position to help a child with special needs.  Really, to adopt the child but I am afraid at this stage in my life may not be fair to me or the child but who knows; I may change my mind.

I would do something short term to see if this is for me.  Talk to social services in your area.

God Bless

Answer 5

go to parenting.com

Answer 6

I was a foster parent for 4 yrs.  Call your local child protective services.  They'll have classes you can attend, and in most states, they have seminars to learn more about it.  Ask at the CPS if they can give your name to some parents who would like some respit care, nothing will educate you more than that!  And that will give the foster parents a well needed break.  If you would like me to go into details, let me know, there is a lot to it.

Answer 7

Ignore sunny.  Allowing your children to be part of helping other children is raising competent, compassionate and generous children.  Before you move towards fostering though you need to ensure all members of your family are on board.  If you talk them through it and make sure they are willing to do their part to help then they will feel empowered and part of hte solution.  Your family will have to understand there will be chagnes, disruptions etc. but also many rewards.  As well, if you go ahead ensure between placements you take time out for just your family time to ensure your children feel they are getting one on one time as well.

Honestly I am shocked that Sunny would suggest that fostering is wrong.  As long as your children are included in the decisions, I think fostering as a family can bring you closer together and again, teach and model good citizenshipo to your children.

Answer 8

I have read some of your other posts and REALLY can't belive you GAVE YOUR CHILD UP and now you want to take in more children through foster care!

That is crazy!

Answer 9

There are usually informational sessions in the county that those considering foster parenting can attend.  Contact your local county offices and find out.

Answer 10

I hate it that so many people are bashing you for being a birthmother.  I don't know anything about you but if you have grown up and are able to provide a safe loving foster home then I say go for it and don't listen to these people who feel the need to say such ugly things.  

I think by now we should all know that ALL birthmothers are NOT crack-whores, poor, neglectful, etc, etc...

Oh... and to answer your question:

Some things you can do would be volunteering your time to help foster/adoptive kids.  One way to do that is at Christmas time help the CPS office in your county obtain, wrap, deliver gifts for foster kids.  One thing that means a lot to the foster kids is having a gift that has THEIR NAME on it, instead of something like "boy 5-8" or whatever.  This volunteer experience will be valuable to you when you do start fostering.  Also you can begin researching online and find a way to network with foster parents, foster children, social workers, etc in your area.  Even volunteering at a school will give you experience with children's issues and behavior.  Just be ready to go through a lot of hoops, such as background checks, fingerprinting, and waiting around for ever.

And finally, I don't know if you are a Christian or not, but if you are the first and best thing you can do is pray about it and ask God to give you direction.

Answer 11

You need to develop a very tight grip on reality.  Remember that out there are children who need you desperately. They need a loving and safe place.  You need to develop endless patience so that you will have the ability to act as your foster child's spokesperson to deal with lawyers, foster care officials, harried and overworked social workers, not to mention birth parents who vary from pool overwhelmed souls to real hardcore bottom dwellers.

To start developing the right mindset, try volunteering with a tutoring program that works with low income kids.  Another good place to volunteer would be with a facility that temporarily houses children who have been taken into custody.  You could also volunteer at shelters for homeless women with children.  Finally, for a real jolt, volunteer with a group home for teenagers.  

Despite the emotional and logistical difficulty of fostering and working with these needy souls, I want you to know that there is nothing that will reward you as much.  At the end of the day, I have found sharing my life and good fortune with a child who needed me has made me the luckiest person alive. Good luck!!