1. Toothbrushes – You can never have too many of them with foster children. Especially when strep throat, the flu or anything else cycles through your home, you need to stock up when they are on sale.

2. Suitcases or Duffel bags – If your foster child comes with anything besides the clothes they are wearing, most likely their belongs will be in trash sacks. So, it is helpful if you can stock up on suitcases and duffel bags for when your foster children need them.

3. Hairbrushes and Combs – Every foster child should leave your home with one. So, get them when you can.

4. Backpacks and School Supplies – I have only one child come with a backpack. So you will always be needing backpacks. The best time to stock up on them is on the off season (winter and after school is out). School supplies you will not able to keep up with the need. Back to school sales are the best time to stock up. Get a large Rubbermaid plastic tub to keep all your school supplies.

5. Socks – Keep a nice stock of different size socks stocked away. They always seem to disappear in record numbers.

6. Baby wipes – Age of the children does not matter. I keep them in my house and they’re even in both cars. Buy refills by the case is the cheapest way.

7. Hand Sanitizer – I love this stuff. Just a little more help with fighting off germs. I had a bottle in every room and the therapist appreciated this (they used it before and after).

8. Band-aids and first aid supplies – I brought four or five boxes of band-aids at a time (these are a cure all).

9. Shampoo and soap – You can always use more of.

10. Time and Sleep – Both things you need more of. It would be so much easier if you could have a few more of both every day. Okay, weekly would be a dream come true.


"Years teach us more than books."
Berthold Auerbach