what information or advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a foster parent?

Question

thanks for sharing your stories with me. this is obviously a very difficult situation. i would love to help but honestly i don't know if i could do a great job as i'd like to right now. my life is hectic with just one biological child. i think i'd be better off to wait until my son is a little older. hopefully i'll be a little more financially stable then too. thanks a gain for sharing your stories with me.

Answer 1

it's a difficult situation.
the kids come from difficult situations.
you must have love and skills.
i think it's a good idea.
but don't do it for the money.
that's a bad idea.

Answer 2

As a past foster child my advise, don't do it if you are only in it for the money. Those are the homes I ended up in and if that is the case you will do more damage then good. The child should be an equal member of the household and know that most of the kids are coming with a lot of baggage. Don't spank them every morning for wetting the bed and don't expect them to acclimate to your rule right away. Most of the kids I knew only know what they came from and that is dis-function. By coming into a home of function, they will feel lost, inadequate and will be on their best behavior until they are sick of playing that game then watch out the real them will arrive in about two weeks. Be prepared to love them even more and that is what makes for a good Foster Parent. Also, Foster kids are not house maids, or live in baby sitters for you own kids. If you are think of doing this to love a child who does not no how to love or has never been loved, then you go girl and I am sorry if this is rather harsh, but I lived it and I know what is out there for you and for those kids.
Tracylyn S

Answer 3

do u have the time the patients and the sources to handle the various needs of each child that u may get , are u willing to let drug addecticts etc come into your home to visit there children are u going to be willing to make sure each kids gets his/her docs appointments dentist appoinments etc , are going to be able to pick kids up from various schools etc . those are some things to consider
here are some things u will hopefully be able to do
can u provide them with a loving caring home a safe home a place that they feel safe to express thereselfs , are u willing to be open minded bout how they feel adn wh ythey feel that way , will u be able to let them go when they are returned to there mother/father/relitve , will u be able to let them go to another foster home because the one you have is set up for certain age groups and not theres no more

there are many things to conceder before doing this , when u decided to have a family of yor own u didnt just jummp into ti , well being a foster paren is a lil more complicasted than that , theres the background cheek , theres making sure there enough room house is tidy enough etc , then theres the emtional part as well why is this kid here so quiet why is this one so violent etc , there are so many things , i would talk to other parents of foster kids and talk to foster kids as well and foster parents to get more info on this to help u decide yes the state does pay u etc to do this but theres more to it than money and i dont think r in it for the money , i think u want to help some schildren and ihope u can becaom a foster parent but please make sure its what u want to do cause those kids can get attached to there foster parents etc

Answer 4

Think long and hard and if it is what you really want gofor it but remember you get a lot of problems that come with it but you sound like a wonderful person and the child will be very pleased and blessed to have you as a mentor.

Answer 5

get ready to have every single part of your past and present pried into and try not to take it personally and remember most of these kids are not in a good place and may come off as "bad" but they need lots of love and limits. good luck.

Answer 6

my advice is go for it.

good luck