How to Parent a Teen Foster Child

Teen foster children are difficult to parent because you must cope with all the issues of teenage life as well as any remaining behavioral or psychological problems from the teen's experiences in a problematic home. You'll need to prepare yourself to parent a teen foster child and help her grow into a responsible adult.

Things You'll Need

• Foster parent certification

Instructions

1. Complete all required state background checks and training to become a foster parent. Attend training sessions provided by the state or your local placement agency. Request to have a teen placed in your home once you're adequately prepared.

2. Lay down the house rules during your first few days with the teen foster child. Explicitly define curfew times, responsibilities and your rules about having guests over. Present your rules in a way that expects compliance, but does not seem punitive or overly restrictive, so that the teen doesn't feel unwelcome.

3. Support your teen foster child academically. Offer to help with homework, schedule planning and rides to extracurricular activities. Make it clear that education is a top priority during his stay with you.

4. Be an understanding parent when the teen foster child becomes upset or depressed. Remember that she likely comes from a very difficult background and you may need to help her work through tough issues. Know who to contact if you think the teen needs counseling beyond what you can offer as a parent.

5. Address teen issues such as sexuality, drugs and alcohol with your foster child in a way appropriate to his age. Due to difficult pasts, some teens may be more likely to become involved in self-destructive behavior, so it's even more important that you confront these topics.

6. Keep in touch with teen foster children after they leave your care. Sending birthday cards and holiday presents are a way to remind them that you care about them. Teen foster children often need this kind of positive reinforcement in light of their past problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Always parent foster children and your biological children with the same rules and punishments if they are of similar ages.

• If you want to parent a teen mother and her child, then you'll need to attend childcare lessons before the agency can approve you.

• If a teen foster child fits in well with your family, remember that you can begin the adoption process as long as the teen isn't on a short-term stay.

• Don't blame your teen for his actions and mistakes. Instead, calmly explain why something is unacceptable and how to correct it.