Foster Parenting, Foster Child, Foster Care Blog - How to Decide What Kind of Foster Care is Right for Your Family

Foster Care Blog

05/25/07

How to Decide What Kind of Foster Care is Right for Your Family

Posted by : Lanette in Foster Care Blog at 12:25 pm , 316 words, 168 views
Categories: How to...

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 take care of mentally retarded people? If not therapeutic or some adult foster care may not work for you.

Can you deal with severe behaviors? If not stay away from therapeutic foster care this is a daily occurence.

Would you be willing to parent teenagers?

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All of these questions will help you decide what type of foster care you would be comfortable doing.

If you have children, how many, and what are their ages? When I cared for my friend’s mentally retarded adult daughter, I found that it was very hard for me to switch between parenting young children and a mentally retarded adult. It has also difficult for my young children.

Can you handle things changing a lot? Yes, then emergency, respite and short term foster care would look better for you.

Can you handle a placement at a moments notice and any hour of the day or night? Yes, emergency and respite maybe what you are looking for. Do you want a short or long term commitment?