Continued.....

This is where having your own children model how to be a friend and how to act like a child. You may have to become creative and setup situations that a foster child can be successful in. The foster child will need guidance and help through this process. They need to be successful at this so this why you may need to set up a positive experience for the foster child.

Foster children have a very difficult time fitting in and being accepted. I have found that activities away from school seem easy to set up for a positive experience for the child and it works better... more

Sadly to say that most foster children do not have the experience of a childhood or being a child. They have spent their lives caring for siblings and themselves. At times even caring for their bio parents that are unable to care for themselves due to drugs and alcohol. They have the responsibility that most adults have, providing food, cleaning the house, and finding a way to meet their needs along with their siblings needs.

It is not uncommon to see three or four- year olds come into foster care still trying to care for younger siblings. The role of caretaker is not something they know how to give up or want to give up easily. This is something that will take time and patience... more

I then look at Baby Boo’s CPS caseworker (sitting beside the DA) in a complete panic and raised my eyes along with a horrible look on my face (at least that’s what I was told) at him. He grabbed is case notebook. He and the DA started flipping through it. The caseworker looks up at me and raises one finger from the desk and continues reading the book. I am thinking does that mean wait, see you later, or WHAT? I then start believing this rambling attorney, and I too start rambling on. My agency caseworker is mouthing,” It’s okay!”. Lady, the ship is going down, and I am tied up to it. “Your Honor, the state objects.”. (Oh, thank God!!) There is not a CASA worker, and CASA has never been... more

Yes, I had contact during the visits and discussed their daughter (What she is eating, is she crawling, teething, doctor appointments, etc). I had contact with them as often as they showed up for the visits.

At this point I start thinking I’m in the wrong courtroom. Personally I think they just try and trip you up, unnerve you. I was questioned repeatedly and in different ways, if I knew, seen or had be involved with bio Dad (I still have no idea where this was going). I stated for visits only. After a few more times being asked the same question. I stated , “To my knowledge the only contact I had was at the visits. (The guy could have seen me at Wal-mart I do not have a clue... more

Do you think it would in the best interest of Baby Boo to be returned to her bio parents? I hated being put in that spot and really didn’t think I should have been asked (Hey, but I am not the judge). This was the one time I was glad to hear repeatedly, “object”. (Over ruled) I just sat there, so not wanting to answer and finally I was instructed by the judge to answer the question. I looked at the bio mother (this was the third time I had made direct eye contact while testify) and said “I am sorry.” Then stated that I did not believe it would be in the child’s best interest.. I sat across the court room looking at the bio mother with tears running down my face and her face as well. Knowing... more

You will be sworn in before taking a seat. You will have to state your name, or in my case, Jane Doe. The district attorney will question you first, which helps ease you into it. I will list out some questions that I was asked. I feel if you are a little prepared, it is easier, and it can make you think of different answers before taking the stand. I could have done better on a few of my questions, if I had been a little prepared. Remember, they will ask you about when the child first came into care and in most cases, this has happened months ago. It is a little hard when they are asking about things that happened ten months ago and on top of that, you had a few more children come through... more

The big thing for me personally was I did not want to use my real name or where I lived. This was to protect the foster child, my family, and myself. At first I was told (by CPS) I would have to use my real name. At this point I stated I would not testify. Then the district attorney came over to talk with me. I explained why I felt this way. She was very nice and understanding, and talked to the other attorneys involved. She and the other attorneys then talked with the judge concerning protecting my identity. The judge called me up to his bench with the attorneys, and asked me why I wanted this, that I would answer to Mrs. Jane Doe, and that I would still be under oath. I felt like I was... more

This was a nerve racking ordeal, mainly because I did not know what to expect. I got to court early and sat in on the case before my foster daughter’s case, to give me an idea what to expect. I was not prepared in any way to what would be asked of me or what would happen. I have been asked what part people play in the testifying in court. I have also been asked if the case aide worker will testify. I will try and explain little of the process.

Testifying for the State will be: the investigator (CPS), caseworker, case aide worker anybody else that is involved with this case through CPS, psychologist, doctors, foster parents, etc.

Case aide worker will testify... more

Hello... My name is Lanette and I’m a new blogger for foster care. I am a wife and a stay at home mom. My husband and I have been fostering about five years. It is something that has brought great joy to our family. We have been blessed with the gift of adopting two of our foster children. I have a bio daughter (12), adopted daughter (3), adopted son (5) and a foster daughter (15 months). We have the joy of not knowing how many will be at our dinner table from day to day. I enjoy my dogs, children and working on our house. We have moved to the country, brought an older home, and we are restoring it. Restoring the house was turned into a big challenge and a great learning experience for... more