Advice on foster parenting

[olena]

I spoke with a nurse today about this possibility for us. I don't have any experience with it and thought maybe some of you might.

Please tell me about it. Was it worthwhile for you and the child(ren)? How about the pros and cons?

Thanks for your input...

 

[trayletha]

I don't have any advice - just {{{hugs}}} good foster parents are angels on earth. Good luck if you choose to take this on.

 

[nativetxn]

Heather, I have so much admiration for good foster parents. I have often considered doing this but it would hurt me too much to give back a child and that's what a foster parent usually has to do. Give the child back to the parents or to adoptive parents. I couldn't handle the "giving back" part.

You would make a great foster parent, though.

 

[Megan's Mom]

Some friends of mine were foster parents to a little boy and they eventually adopted him. They had problems at the beginning because Bryan was a handful and he knew that they couldn't do anything to him as a way of punishment then they got really creative and that helped. He came to them with a lot of "baggage" he had food issues because he "raised" his three little sisters and there would be days that they might just have a can of beans so food was a big thing to him. I think that he always thought that he would go back or that they wouldn't keep him so he was reserved for a while as far as making a connection. They have worked hard at getting his grades up and behavior better and they still have a long road but I think if you asked them it would be worth it.
I would also have a problem sending a child back especally to the parents that they had orginally been taken from. You also have to consider if the parents can still have contact with the child while you have them. I know my friends had to go to class one night a week for about 9 weeks to prepare them for all the possiblities.
Good luck if you persue this avenue. Keep us informed.

 

[chell]

It depends on who you decide to work with. You can go through the local social services office or a special program. Usually the special programs handle the hard to place kids. These kids usually have medical problems, emotional problems, abuse history, etc.

I think you would be a wonderful foster parent Heather! You seem to have such a wonderful heart. The thing is just to go into it knowing that they may not be with you for a long time. But that could also depend on which program you go into. You could have a choice of Short-Term Foster Care, Long-Term Foster Care, Intense Program, Foster Adopt, etc. So there are lots of options.

Good luck!

 

[olena]

Thanks, y'all....

 

[mamajoan]

Hi... first of all may I ask why you are considering becoming a foster parent?
Strictly a foster parent? or in hopes of an adoption?

I was a Fos-dopt parent myself. I know many foster parents so I can answer some of your ?'s on both fronts.