How to Become A Good Foster Parent

Use the time with your foster child to help them grow.

There are fewer things a person can do that are as selfless and kind as being a foster parent. Although it does come with its challenges, being a good foster parent is possible if you're committed and prepared. The key is to keep an open heart to the child you're fostering; you must realize that some children will be more difficult to foster than others, but with these tips you'll be able to make the experience an enlightening one for both you and your foster child.

Instructions

1. Read. Before you agree to foster a child, do as much reading on the topic as possible. Even if you have fostered a child in the past, reading about fostering from multiple perspectives will enhance your ability to take great care of your foster child.

2. Examine your life and see if you can truly provide a safe, stable home for a child. This includes money. Although you will get paid for fostering, it won't be enough to support you and a child so you must make absolutely sure that you can withstand the financial burden.

3. Examine why you are getting into fostering. If your purpose is to adopt a child and you want to "try out" different children, don't get involved in fostering - this will hurt the child. To be a great foster parent, you must be emotionally prepared to let that child go once your time is up.

4. Don't establish yourself as "Mom" or "Dad." This child will most likely not be a permanent member of your family so you must think of this experience as just an opportunity to mentor a child. By telling the child that you are his Mom or Dad, you'll be adding emotional confusion to an already unstable child.

5. If the child's natural parents are still in their life, try to help your foster child nurture those broken relationships. By showing your foster child that you're there to help them reach out to their natural parents, it will make the child trust you more and give them an important adult role model.

6. Help your foster child grow as a person. This means teaching them how to be a resourceful adult and giving them a home where they are free to express themselves and grow emotionally and intellectually.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't expect anything from the foster parent-child experience. By going into it with no expectations, you won't have anything to live up to or anything to be disappointed by.

• Don't pin your foster child against their natural parents; this will cause resentment and possible rebellion.

References

• KidsHealth From Nemours; Foster Families
• PsychCentral; Good Foster Care Improves Mental Health in Adulthood; Rick Nauert, 2008.