[csisemore]

My husband and I are looking into becoming foster parents. We have three Birth children and both of us work. My question for some people who foster is what kinds of things do you try to keep around the house? Like car seats? Is it hard to set up childcare? (my children are in school) Do you get phone calls in the night? And what size rooms do you need for more than one child in a room? ( my children all have their own rooms. One is in high school, one in middle and one in grade school) I am in Arkansas.

[chevyjewel]

Originally Posted by csisemore

My husband and I are looking into becoming foster parents. We have three Birth children and both of us work. My question for some people who foster is what kinds of things do you try to keep around the house?

Beds are essential. We take kids age newborn through age 6 right now. We've got two cribs, two toddler beds, and a set of bunk beds (twin on top, full on bottom with a trundle bed that slides underneath) that can be set up in a snap. I also have a box with a few simple, gender neutral outfits in it for ages newborn through age 6. A dresser or clothing space saver for each kiddo you've got. If you're licensed to foster babies bottles (and for toddler aged kiddos sippy cups and kid sized eating utensils) are essential. High chair and/or booster seat to strap onto a chair is always good if you've got space for it. Blankets of all sizes and a few toys and stuffed animals are always good. Kids will usually latch onto one to distract or comfort themselves so make sure they're not YOUR kids toys. Learned that one the hard way when a toddler claimed a favorite stuffed animal of my daughters! So now I keep a box of things I had the kids help me pick out that are reserved just for new kiddos to claim if they'd like to.

Originally Posted by csisemore

Like car seats?

We have two infant seats and a convertable seat on hand from our kids. Usually though kids will come with their own. It's up to you if you trust them though. Some my foster kiddos have come with were ancient and the county just ended up bringing new ones with them.

Originally Posted by csisemore

Is it hard to set up childcare? (my children are in school)

That I'm not sure about because I'm a SAHM. Haven't had to worry about childcare but know there's a woman up our street that's licensed to do foster care and she could watch any kids I had in a snap if I needed her to. I'd say your best bet is get to know other foster parents in the area to get the 'hook-up' where they do their child care at.

Originally Posted by csisemore

Do you get phone calls in the night?

We never have in 2 1/2 years but were told they can and do happen if you're licensed for emergency care (we are).

Originally Posted by csisemore

And what size rooms do you need for more than one child in a room? ( my children all have their own rooms. One is in high school, one in middle and one in grade school) I am in Arkansas.

That's something that would be Arkansas, and maybe even agency specific so I have no clue LOL! We don't have specific dimensions laid out for us, common sense dictates how many children can comfortably accomodate a room at one time. Bedrooms have to have a window (ie escape route) and a dresser or clothing space for each child. That and any foster children we have have to be rooming on the same floor we are, so no kids in any basement or guest house rooms.


Good luck on your journey should you decide fostering is something you guys want to pursue!!!

[jeni-b]

We don't have a placement yet, but aside from beds the things I am keeping on hand are:

a handful of clothes in each size we may need
diapers
car seats
strollers
toothbrushes
blankets
shoes - mainly gender neutral soft shoes
hairbrushes
journals - to keep for each kid
bottles
sippy
bibs
socks and undies
toys

[csisemore]

Thanks so much these are things I would have never thought of.... Our youngest is eight, Therefore we really don't have any baby stuff.