A number of foster children come into foster care without a foster home to be placed into. This leads to a number of children, yes, even babies and toddlers being placed into shelters due to the lack of placements options. Shelters have a set number of days that a child can stay there, this can lead to foster children been bounced around shelters.

Shelters are just what they sound like, and the image that most of us picture is probably correct at least for the most part. They receive foster children of all ages, disabilities, ethnicity, etc. Children with... more

How did you know that you could handle what they send your way? This is a difficult question that I had to spend sometime thinking about. I do not think anyone knows for sure without a shadow of a doubt that they can handle anything that Child Welfare throws their way. It is not about being a super parent that knows all there is to know, and really, is there such a thing? Parenting whether through fostering and our own children it can be a daily learning experience.

Granted this is totally my opinion but here goes. It is more about being willing to learn... more

Knowing this was the right thing for my family was not as easy as knowing for myself. My husband was reserved about being a foster parent but he also knew how important this was for me on a personal level. I was not sure if it was something that it he would take to or like.

In time he fell into it, granted it was not his passion as it was mine. When we started fostering the children that we have now adopted he found that he did like it. We had the pleasure of fostering a newborn infant right from the hospital, she was born addicted to drugs and went through... more

How did you know for sure that foster care was the right thing for you to do?

Knowing that foster care is the right thing to do for you personally and your family is not something easy to explain. I have been asked how does one know this so I will give it my best shot and try to explain. Everyone will probably have a totally different idea or thought about it so please share below.

First, I the think the biggest question should be the reason you have decided to become a foster parent. Helping foster children work through their abuse, behaviors,... more

Why is it Taking So Long for a Placement?

I know of foster parents that have chosen to wait for a young girl under the age of 5 years old, white, no siblings, no real issues to speak of, no developmentally delays, etc. Understand that when you choose a certain gender and a small window of age range, this can limit your possibilities greatly. A large majority of foster children coming into care come from a sibling group which will also impact your placements.... more

This is a question that I hear from time to time. It is always confusing to the foster parents waiting for a placement when everything you hear is about how desperate foster parents are needed. One of the biggest reasons of the delayed foster placements is when foster parents limit the types of foster children that they are willing to parent.

While I do understand only taking children that you feel that you are capable, or willing to parent, on the other side, seeking preconceived traits or desires is only going to work against you. Trying to be honest... more

This is something that every foster parent needs to manage the stress and challenges that comes along with being a foster parent. When I first started fostering, I did not realize how important and what a necessity this is. While most of us have the family members and friends that are our normal daily life support system, we also need this with being a foster parent.

This means that your daily support system will need to understand some basics of foster children and be open about children that may have issues or behaviors. Truthfully not every family member... more

This is something that I looked forward to when I was a child, and have wonderful memories of every Christmas baking cookies in our kitchen. This is a tradition that I have carried over to my children and also my foster children. My children look forward to it every year. My foster children are a little reserved in the beginning, but quickly become involved.

This is a great activity to get foster children involved in without great difficulty. Really this is something in my experience they involve themselves in without much need of encouragement. They do not have to... more

Foster Care Terms A - C

Foster Care Terms D - I

Judicial Review: When the progress of the parents and the child is reviewed by the court to decide the safest place for the child to live. Within 12 - 18 months of the child entering foster care there must be a Judicial Review.

Juvenile Court: Is a district court system that only handles matters that affect children under the age of 18.

Life Book: Kind of like a baby book that geared towards older... more

From time to time a foster home may be placed inactive or on hold. This means that for a period of time that the foster home is not open to new foster placements. This does not mean that if you have foster children already living in your home that they will be moved.

Any time foster families can choose to place their home on hold just to allow themselves to take a break from fostering. The truth is that we all need breaks from time to time so this is not a bad thing. One thing you may want to check on before placing your home on hold is how this affects your status and what you will need to do to start fostering again when you are ready.

With my agency, if your home... more