Comments on: How to Help Maintain Sibling Contact http://foster-care.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact Provides information on foster care including adult, respite, and kinship along with resources, struggles that foster parents will face. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:39:00 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: family4life http://foster-care.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact/comment-page-1#comment-561 family4life Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:09:29 +0000 http://foster-care.www.adoptionblogs.com/2007/04/30/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact#comment-561 After my son was separated from his sister through the adoption, the system said that I needed to keep up with her and keep them connected. It was not an easy task. We saw her face to face 3 times in 3 years. it took its toll on my son. We had letters returned to us, she ran away several times a years, she spent time in many placements around the state. I decided if I was to be taken seriously about keeping thme together I was gonna have to go a different route. I created a non-profit in San Marcos, TX that reunites siblings separated by foster care and adoption. It was no easy task but creating Fmily for Life, gave me the credibility that I needed with CPS to be able to not only bring my son and his sister together but also many separated siblings from around the state. We work hard to get these siblings together 3 times a year. I belive phonecalls and letters are not enough. It just not the same as being in the same place for a weekend and engaging in family activitieslike getting to hug your brothers and sisters ans share a birthday or a special Christmas with them. these are the types of memories we recreate with these siblings, things they may have missed. They can share popcorn at a movie or go swimming together. These are things we may take for granted. This camp is provided free of charge for siblings who qualify. Read more about us at www.family4life.org After my son was separated from his sister through the adoption, the system said that I needed to keep up with her and keep them connected. It was not an easy task. We saw her face to face 3 times in 3 years. it took its toll on my son. We had letters returned to us, she ran away several times a years, she spent time in many placements around the state. I decided if I was to be taken seriously about keeping thme together I was gonna have to go a different route. I created a non-profit in San Marcos, TX that reunites siblings separated by foster care and adoption. It was no easy task but creating Fmily for Life, gave me the credibility that I needed with CPS to be able to not only bring my son and his sister together but also many separated siblings from around the state. We work hard to get these siblings together 3 times a year. I belive phonecalls and letters are not enough. It just not the same as being in the same place for a weekend and engaging in family activitieslike getting to hug your brothers and sisters ans share a birthday or a special Christmas with them. these are the types of memories we recreate with these siblings, things they may have missed. They can share popcorn at a movie or go swimming together. These are things we may take for granted. This camp is provided free of charge for siblings who qualify. Read more about us at http://www.family4life.org

]]> By: krinker http://foster-care.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact/comment-page-1#comment-560 krinker Tue, 08 May 2007 01:53:00 +0000 http://foster-care.www.adoptionblogs.com/2007/04/30/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact#comment-560 I know that there are some summer camps out there that specialize in bringing together siblings separated by foster care. This can be a good way for siblings to do activities and spend time together. <br /> <br /> Check out these great sites:<br /> http://www.campconnectca.org<br /> http://www.camptobelong.org<br /> <br /> More ideas for activities:<br /> http://www.siblingconnect.org<br /> I know that there are some summer camps out there that specialize in bringing together siblings separated by foster care. This can be a good way for siblings to do activities and spend time together.

Check out these great sites:
http://www.campconnectca.org
http://www.camptobelong.org

More ideas for activities:
http://www.siblingconnect.org

]]> By: Lanette http://foster-care.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact/comment-page-1#comment-559 Lanette Wed, 02 May 2007 16:58:43 +0000 http://foster-care.www.adoptionblogs.com/2007/04/30/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact#comment-559 I have dealt with other foster parents and bio family not supporting a sibling relationship.<br /> <br /> Sadly you cannot make other people do what is best for the children.<br /> <br /> When I was faced with is, we talked to the child about his siblings a lot. He had pictures of them to help him feel connected to them. He would also send cards but he never heard back.<br /> <br /> I would just continue sending the cards, pictures or any other contact that they are willing to allow. I would also try to talk with the other parents every six months or so, about possible visits for the siblings. <br /> <br /> Maybe suggest a visit at a park or McDonald's instead your home in the beginning. Just a thought:) Good luck! I have dealt with other foster parents and bio family not supporting a sibling relationship.

Sadly you cannot make other people do what is best for the children.

When I was faced with is, we talked to the child about his siblings a lot. He had pictures of them to help him feel connected to them. He would also send cards but he never heard back.

I would just continue sending the cards, pictures or any other contact that they are willing to allow. I would also try to talk with the other parents every six months or so, about possible visits for the siblings.

Maybe suggest a visit at a park or McDonald’s instead your home in the beginning. Just a thought:) Good luck!

]]> By: BEACHLADY http://foster-care.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact/comment-page-1#comment-558 BEACHLADY Tue, 01 May 2007 15:00:23 +0000 http://foster-care.www.adoptionblogs.com/2007/04/30/how-to-help-maintain-sibling-contact#comment-558 What do you do when the other family does not want to have visits?<br /> <br /> Our daughter has two sisters - one has been adopted by her bio-grandmother - the grandmother does not want them to visit - (we only live 25 miles apart). I invited the sister for a weekend but the grandmother made it clear that they could talk but that was it!<br /> <br /> The other sister lives with her bio-father. They live about 45 miles away - we visit about once a year.<br /> <br /> I do send cards - holidays, birthdays - etc. <br /> <br /> What do you do when the other family does not want to have visits?

Our daughter has two sisters – one has been adopted by her bio-grandmother – the grandmother does not want them to visit – (we only live 25 miles apart). I invited the sister for a weekend but the grandmother made it clear that they could talk but that was it!

The other sister lives with her bio-father. They live about 45 miles away – we visit about once a year.

I do send cards – holidays, birthdays – etc.

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