[RJA00]

We got the call Thursday. We are approved foster parnets. How do u manage the waiting time. Everytime the phone rings i jump
we are open to ages 0-8 and sibs groups. So everone tell me i will be kept busy with that age bracket

[mckenna]

while you are waiting, start looking for a pediatircian that accepts the type of medicaid that foster children in your area receive (a dentist too)

if you will need daycare, start looking for that too.

shop garage sales of stuff children that age may need (mostly infant supplies)

take up scrap booking and make pages that you can fill with pictures later. i have a book for my self that has each child and the dates they were in my home and additional pages depending on how long they were with me. but when you get a child/ren, you don't have that much time to design the pages so if you had some pre-made you would be ahead of the game.

read books on parenting, while you get the best experience hands on the books have helpful knowledge as well

join a foster parent support group in your area. even if it seems like most of the parents already have foster children in thier home, their knowledge is invaluable.

attend training sessions on different topics (if they are offered). you never know when that situation may arise for you.

go to lots of movies, you won't have much time for that later.

[RJA00]

Thanks mckenna for the great info. I will go to the craft store tom. Thats a great ideal.

[NoCaMomof3]

Congratulations on Becoming Foster parents, we are just in the thinking stages of it and I have gained much insight in what to ask and where to begin I am very excited to be making my calls tomorrow to start the process.

xo Dina xo

[Barksum]

Congratulations! Being a foster parent is an adventure.

What I've done to make sure we are ready is to have as many supplies as I think I might need. I'm a Boy Scout at heart, I guess! LOL

Toothbrushes, brushes/combs, toothpaste, dental floss, no tear shampoo, sensitive skin moisturizing lotion, etc. Many of the kids that come to my home have ecsema or dry skin. (I have this theory that stress causes their skin to be dry/sensitive.) Kids rarely have these items. It's also inexpensive to buy washcloths, and lots of kids think it's cool to have their own.

I keep extra bedding. My mattresses have waterproof pads as well. This is a good investment. Extra pillows have also come in handy.

I keep extra clothes in RubberMaid-type tubs, and label them "Boys size 6-7, summer", "Infant size to 18month, winter", etc. Diapers in a couple of sizes, bottles & nipples, a container of formula, pacifier, diaper wipes. Most of the foster kids we've had have not had appropriate clothing, or not seasonally appropriate. One child came the last week of October and didn't have a winter coat (we live in a snow zone). Another child came with no underwear. I shop garage sales, 2nd hand stores, consignment shops. Because I am picky I usually buy new underwear on clearance and leave it in the package.

I usually try to have at least 2 complete outfits - shirt, pants, socks, underwear, shoes per size. This way I have something for the child to wear until I have time to get to the store, if they don't have any clothes. I've found it's kind of daunting to maintain and store complete wardrobes in 12 different children's sizes -- and for both genders -- so I only go for a couple of outfits in most sizes. I try for non-gender specific clothing, when possible (black snow boots, navy snow suits, white tennis shoes). Of course I have some obvious girl and boy clothing, though.

I like to have some school supplies available, too. Extra box of crayons, child scissors, pencils, notebook/notebook paper and binder, pencil case, etc. Additionally I try to make sure that there are those common American standby meals like macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, pizza, as well as snack foods, etc.

When we have children who can read come to stay with us, or even non-readers who will be going to school, I write my name, address and phone number on a 3X5 card for the child to keep in their backpack or wallet. Kids often take a few days to really remember my name (I think this is also stress related), and many never get the phone/address down. Having the card makes it possible for them to call if they need to, or give my name as a contact if needed.

I also ALWAYS go in to school with them the first day, even if they are going to the same school they always do. I make sure that the school staff is aware that the child is in foster care, that the child has just moved, that I am the child's care provider and that he/she may NOT be picked up by bio family, or ANYONE else except the caseworker or other approved adult. This can save many headaches.

Must run, fussy toddler. Hope some of this is helpful. Also, you don't have to buy it all right this minute, I try to pick up an item or two each shopping expedition (I try to only shop twice a month). I shop the clearance racks almost exclusively (for my family AND any visitors) so this doesn't have to break the bank.

[RJA00]

wow

I had forgot about this board
It was very rocky 5 years. Lots of heartbreak and crying and wishing.

we adopted my son 07/12/07
He will be starting kindergarten this fall
He was place with when he was 10 months old
april 1 2004


we closed are home a few months later
we had two that we had for almost since the month we got approved
they were 2 and 5 when they were placed with us
they kept sending them home and they would come right back.

they went home the last time and we closed are home
so, far they are still home we see them about once a month

they are now 7 and 10

[LacyMom]

congratulations!!!!

we are recently licenced too. I jummp every time the phone rings but no calls yet...

[wantonemore]

Right there with ya! Approved for ages 0-8 and sib groups... try to stay busy to help the time pass... it has been 6 weeks for us, no calls yet...

[Withay]

Just to clarify. The original date of this thread was in January 2004. The OP has been a fp for 5 years now.