How to Foster a Teenage Girl
Adults with extra love to give and a desire to help children may consider fostering a viable option. By serving as a foster parent, you can open your home to a child who likely hasn't had the stable home life she deserves. In many areas, there is a constant demand for foster parents, particularly those willing to take on fostering teens. Teens are potentially headstrong and can need special help.
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Instructions
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Register with a foster placement group in your area. Contact the Department of Child and Family Services in your state and express your interest in becoming a foster parent. Someone there will likely refer you to a local foster placement service. In many areas, you must first take some courses and attend meetings to ensure that you are ready to take on the serious challenge of fostering a child.
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Prepare any children already in your home for an addition. Adding another child can upset your family dynamic, so preparing your children is a must. Speak to them about your reasons for fostering a child so they fully understand and support your choice.
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Form a relationship with your new foster child. Though the teen who enters your home may appear less-than-willing to form a relationship with you, breaking through the walls she has built up is a must. Particularly with teen girls, forming a relationship is vital because teen girls in foster care often make poor relationship choices. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy reports that almost 1/3 of teen girls in foster care become pregnant by the time they reach the age 17. By working to build a relationship and showing the teen that you are there for her, you may be able to prevent this potentially life-changing misstep.
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Handle any issues that arise with the help of the foster organization. If you struggle to get used to the new addition to your home, or the teen seems to be having a hard time adjusting, turn to the placement organization for help. Agencies often have counselors who can help with this adjustment period, making the process less challenging.
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