Are You Willing To Be A Foster Parent?
Do you love children? Are you concerned about the fact that many children don't live in loving, safe homes? Perhaps you look at your own children and just give thanks that they live in a safe home where they get plenty of affection and love. Maybe you have decided that you want to provide a wonderful place for other children to live, even if it's temporary. Or, it might be that you want to foster a child with the purpose of adopting him or her.
No matter the reason that you have decided to be a foster parent, are you already working on that? If so, you more than likely have a list of things to do before you can begin the fostering process. On the other hand, you might just be starting. If so, from learning about the foster care training process to actually taking a child into your home, here are some ideas that might help you.
The Foster Care Training Process - If you're really serious about becoming a foster parent, be prepared for a long and very detailed process before you actually welcome a child into your home.
You'll have numerous forms to fill out that ask very personal questions, even about your finances. You'll need to provide a list of references, places you've worked, even trips you've taken out of the United States. You'll have personal interviews, too. If you are married, you and your spouse will more than likely be interviewed together and then separately.
And then there's the home visits. A licensed social care worker will come to your house to make sure that it's a safe place for children to live. While your house doesn't need to be an elegant one, it needs to be well organized and very clean. And, your foster child will need a bedroom of his own or her own. Don't be surprised if the social worker even checks out the books and movies on your shelves. And, of course the outside of your house will be checked for safety, too.
Don't be offended at the intense interviews and home checking that has to be done. In fact, you will more than likely be grateful that the foster care system is very careful about where it places precious babies and children.
Welcome Your Foster Child Into Your Home - That part is easy. Just be ready to provide love and attention. Don't give a long list of rules. Make things simple, and keep requests gentle. Often it's the little things that make a big difference. For example, if you are fostering a young child, it might be a lot of fun to have a wonderful teddy bear sitting on the child's bed to welcome him or her home.
Remember that there will still be visits by the social workers. And, you'll be told of the progress that is being made to return the child to his or her home, or to let you know how things are developing for you to adopt the baby or child you are fostering.