Transitioning foster children back to their family home is a difficult process for everyone involved. Regardless of their ages, the children will act out if they have been in the foster home for more than a few weeks. The way they act out will depend on their maturity level. Younger children may start throwing temper tantrums and have difficulty sleeping at night that may include nightmares. If the child was recently potty trained, it could be undone by the transitioning process. All children tend to treat their foster parents with increasing disrespect, as their return... more

Foster children that are stuggling with behavior issues or that come into foster care without any parent involvement will need to have realistic expectations set for them. As the old saying goes, “You have to crawl before you can walk.” Understand how important this is for the children you're fostering.

As foster parents, it can be overwhelming when you get children or teens placed with you that have “NO” self control, manners, self help skills, hygiene, thoughts of others, or you are deal with aggression, violence, destroying property, hurting animals, cursing, outburst of rage,... more

The truth is that not every person is cut out to be a foster parent. We all have should have some responsibility for the foster children. Some of us can make an ongoing commitment that will involve our time like tutoring, big brother or sister, child advocate, etc. While with others time can be a factor, and they just do not have extra time. You do not have to make a major financial commitment either to help foster children in care.

Even something as easy as purchasing a duffle bag, suitcase or a pair of pajamas can be a great way to help the children in foster care. Theses are not things that will break your pocketbook either. Below, you will find some ways, and other ideas to... more

Understand that these children do have legitimate fears of sleep and the darkness. They are reacting to the things that have happened to them. Read “Foster Children - Sleeping Issues” to understand why foster children struggle with sleeping issues.

Setting a regular bedtime every night, even if they do not go to sleep is the first step. If the child gets out of bed you have take her back and no matter how they scream and cry they need to stay in bed. Sitting a bedtime routine, bathroom, read a story, drink a glass of milk, etc. will help the child wind down for... more

Trying to work with and make biological parents feels part of their children’s lives while in foster care can be rocky. You may only have a few biological parents that really seem to care or want to be involved (personally I have only had a few, myself). I do feel it is important to try and keep them involved even if it seems most do not want anything to do with the foster parents.

Pictures are a great way for the biological parents to remain connected to their children. You do not need to bring pictures to every visit, just every now and then. Relay school accomplishments of the child. For most foster children school has been a struggle for them... more

Take some time a think about what you can live with and what would be best for the children concerning contact with the birth family. There are so many things that impact your decision; the age of the foster children, what abuse they suffered, are drugs or alcohol involved, and the “biggie” what kind of impact would the contact have on the foster children.

Here are some questions to think about: Would face to face contact be too much for the foster children? (a lot of time it is traumatic for the foster children) Would contact through letters and pictures work? Would the contact be directly with the children or through you? How often do you feel comfortable with quarterly or twice... more

For a foster child to feel like she has some control in her life is important. It can also make things better on yourself with a decrease in behaviors and she is not fighting you every step of the way. You may be surprised to see a foster child relax somewhat and let her guard down with you.

Below you will get some ideas of ways to allow a foster child to feel like them have some control over her life and what happens to her. They do not need to be major choices or decisions to work.

Give the child the choice of two outfits (that you have already picked out) to wear that day.

If a teen hates and has issues when you ask them to take a shower before bedtime, give her... more

I have talked about what can be going on with a foster child that needs a different foster placement. Below you will find questions that will hopefully help you learn what is going on with this child and if she is right for your home before becoming a placement. Remember it is easier to bring her into your house than to get her out if things should go from bad to worse.

How many placements has this child been in? The more placements the more likely you will find yourself dealing with attachment issues.

What are the foster child’s behaviors? I would be concerned if they say there are no real behaviors. Very few foster children have no behaviors. Try ask several different ways:... more

This is a major decision for your family and will impact every part of your lives. Take your time do some research and learn what would be best for your family. One type of care may work better for your family but not be the answer for another family.

Below you will find questions and things that could have an impact on deciding what would be best for your family.

What are you more comfortable working with adults or children? Can you deal with medical needs and issues? If not then medical needs or elderly fostering may not be for you.

Are you comfortable dealing with individuals with mental illness? Do you have the experience or the knowledge to... more

Are you looking to get your older foster children involved in something during the summer. Hopefully you will find something that your foster children will be interested in doing so they will actually want to be involved. If they do not enjoy the activity it may turn in to a bigger headache for you than being helpful.

Some of the same activities that are listed for the younger children may also be of interest to the older children.

If your foster children have an interest in animals (interest not meaning they want to harm them) then there are a number of different ways for them to explore their interest, animal shelters, pet boarding, stables, etc. Horse rescue are... more