[healingmachine]

Hi there--just had a random question that I've been wondering about. I'm posting to this board because it seems to have the most traffic. ;o)

I am not (yet) a foster mom, but plan to be within the next year. I enjoy reading these boards to get a more personal view of what I might expect as I welcome children into my home. I do, however, have a question that I haven't really seen any answer to on the boards.

When a foster child begins to talk, what do you have them call you? I guess I'm wondering because I know from child development classes and such that usually a child's first words are along the lines of 'mama' and 'dada'. Do foster parents encourage the children to call them these names or use their real names?

I know this isn't that important in the bigger picture, but I was just wondering what people do in their homes.

Also, while I'm here, is there another board or page devoted to keeping up with different acronyms that people use? I know the basics "fs=foster son" and "sahm=stay at home mom" but just wanted to know if there was another resource that spells them all out.

Thanks a lot for any responses!!!

healingmachine
(mama to two cats so far!)