The statistics are heartbreaking. In Kansas, over 7,600 children are in out-of-home care. But the state has just 2,000 foster homes. Nebraska has 3,000 foster homes for about 4,000 children. The shortage of fosters means many of the children who can’t stay with their parents have to be placed far from home. In one swift … Read moreNine Requirements for Becoming a Foster Parent
Are you ready to become a foster parent? Although the process can be exciting, it might also lead into anxiety. Yes, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping a child who needs your help. But at the same time, your family will have to get used to having a foster child and vice … Read moreHelping Out a Grieving Child in Foster Care
When a child is placed in foster care and sent to your home, they’re going to have to adjust. And so are you. It’s going to be a process of understanding and compromising all through. You may not be able to get off to the kind of start that you wanted, but you have to … Read moreFoster Care: Compromise vs. Discipline
How do you make your foster home welcoming for the child? This is a question that many foster parents ask themselves, especially if this is their first time fostering a child. If you haven’t had a child in your home before, you may have some questions with regard to privacy, curfews, toys, clothes, computer access, … Read more3 Practical Tips to Keep Your Foster Home Functioning Smoothly
Becoming a foster parent will be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life. Like any form of parenting, it requires grit, love, patience, kindness, and understanding. Kids who come into the foster system each come with their own story, their own ways of coping, and their own struggles and strengths. As a … Read moreParenting a Child With a Trauma History
Foster parenting is both rewarding and challenging. From extra doctor’s appointments to meetings at school to therapy sessions, being a foster parent can consume a great deal of time and energy. As you go along in your foster parent journey, you will discover tools to assist in being an effective parent. However, it is essential … Read moreTips to Avoiding Foster Parent Burnout
It is so important that your foster children not only have a safe and comfortable experience living with you, but also one that is fun and leaves them with positive and impactful memories. One awesome way to do this is to do fun activities with your foster children. Thankfully, there are so many awesome activities … Read more3 Fun Activities to Do With Your Foster Kids
If you have more than one foster child along with your biological children, meal planning can get challenging. Not all kids like the same meals, and if they’re involved in after-school activities, they might not eat at the same time. You don’t have to go overboard with the budget or spend hours cooking dinner. However, … Read moreBest Meal Planning Tips for Large Foster Families
Sleep is important for everyone and for children it is vital. It helps them stay healthy, increases their attention span, improves their mental health, and primes them for a day of learning. But when you get a new foster child, there is a good chance that they will have difficulty sleeping. This is especially true … Read moreHelping Your New Foster Child to Sleep Well
If you’re involved in family foster care, you’ve probably heard about the importance of consistent parenting. All children need structure and limits to help them feel secure and understand the consequences of their actions. That’s especially true for foster children who may have an even greater need for stability. However, consistency can be difficult to … Read moreConsistent Parenting Advice for Family Foster Care