About Foster Parenting
Many foster children need a temporary loving home. These children need encouragement and support. Some foster children will be able to live with their parents again, while others will be left in the foster care system until they come of age. Sadly, many foster children become lost in the system until they are pushed out at age 18. These children need caring, compassionate homes where they can live normal lives and prepare for their future.
Considerations
Many of these children have grown up without stability, and some foster children have been abused. If you have children of your own, this is something you must take into consideration. Foster children may act out and present you with challenges that you have never faced before. If you have a big heart and you want to become a foster parent, educate yourself ahead of time. In most states, classes are required, but read additional books and talk to other foster parents as well.
Benefits
By helping these children feel safe and secure, you are providing a valuable service. Sharing your home with other children can also teach your own kids positive values. Good foster parents treat all children as if they were their own flesh and blood. Good foster parents help children to reach their human potential.
Disadvantages
Foster parenting can be a challenge when you care for a child with emotional disabilities. These children often need extra time, love and compassion. Some foster children might damage your property or steal food. Remember that some of these kids come from homes where they didn't eat regular meals, so stealing food is a common problem. Teach the child to ask for food if he is hungry. You can certainly help turn the child around and have a positive influence on the child. Just be prepared to deal with difficult situations.
You Decide
With foster parenting, you have choices. You decide what type of child you want living in your home. While you are new at foster parenting, you may want to only take in low-risk children. These are children who typically come from loving homes and just need a temporary place to stay while their family works things out with the court. There are many low-risk children in the foster care system. You may also decide to foster only babies or toddlers if you tend to do well with this age group. Some foster parents love spending time with busy 5-year-olds.
Preparation
Before you are allowed to become a foster parent, there are certain things you need to do. For instance, some states require that you pass a background check in addition to taking certain tests or classes. Your home will be inspected on a regular basis to be sure that you are providing a safe, loving environment for the foster children. The number of children you are allowed to care for at one time depends on the number of beds and rooms that you have available.
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