[roomformore]

Well the story has changed about the children we are getting. We were at first told they were just coming into care and now we find out they are being moved from another foster home due to abuse(but not to them apparently). So I am wondering what these kids will probably come with. I was thinking I would probably get an initial clothing allowance but this rules that our right? Do kids being moved from one foster home to another usually come with enough clothes? And our agency said it is up to us to get car seats!!! That is 3 car seats which is going to be expensive. I have been trying to find at garage sales with no luck and I have heard you should not buy used. We really cant afford to buy 3 carseats right now because we are having to buy our duaghter new glasses this week. The kids come tomorrow. This is our first placement and I am excited but kinda bummed. I expected to have to buy some stuff out of pocket but Wow this is going to hurt.

[jodybird511]

It depends...in an ideal world, the current foster family would send as much with the children as possible. That being said...sometimes it just doesn't happen--especially when people are mad about the situation or the children being moved, etc. My now-adopted daughter had been with family prior to being moved to our home. You would think family members that cared about a child would give as much as possible. Well, our daughter came to us at 4 months old with one extra set of clothing, a blanket and one can of formula. She did bring her carseat with her, but that is only b/c the caseworker confiscated it when she picked up the baby. The family had been given clothing, a crib, etc, so we did not get any of that seeing that the $ had already been spent! Check ebay for carseats--good luck!

[reneetaylor]

Try a second hand store or consignment store for car seats. Sometimes you can get really good deals, but be careful, because sometimes they can be as much as an inexpensive new one. If it is a name brand carseat and looks to be in good condition, I don't see where it would be a problem. Is there any way that you can contact the social worker and ask about what to expect, before you go out and buy a bunch of things?

Good Luck with your new children. I pray that everything works out for the best.

Renee
Mom to Mariah (7 yrs old), and Aidan (23 months old)

[openhearts]

You need to speak up and tell your social worker that she needs to rpovide you with car seats for these children. The agency workers have car seats to do their transports and I know from our worker in Maryland that they need to provide that to you.
You should also get a clothing allowance as these children are newly placed with you. As soon as these children arrive in the presence of the worker I would unpack their bags abd write down what they came with. This way no one can say they came with more than they did or that there is no need to buy more. The seasons will be changing shortly and those kids will need all new clothing appropriate to the weather. Speak up to your worker.....more than likely they need you more than you know and will work to make sure this placement works.
Good Luck!
Vicki

[BrandyHagz]

Most resale shops really look over the cars eats they take, they’ll also research the make and model for recalls.

Look at eBay too, but look locally, so you can just go and pick it up to save on shipping! You might also get the word out to your friends and family…someone might have one stuffed in their attic they might not mind donating to a good cause

[leaabc123]

Regarding clothes and car seats, each county, in each state has its own rules.
In my county. we have to provide our own. They generally do not lend them out. We get a pretty good clothing allotment twice a year, not sure how it is in other places.
I agree, you should document whatever clothing they came with and talk to the worker about what is needed.

If you haven't already, try www.freecycle.org to see if there is a freecycle group in your area.
That is how I got the toddler seat that I am going to need when our foster baby outgrows his infant seat in the next few weeks. It was also helpful in providing baby clothes for a little girl who came with nothing.

[leenab]

If the children are coming from another foster home they should be coming with clothing. Both of my boys came from other foster homes with "clothing". I only say this because that is what it was considered. Most of the things R came with were either too small or falling apart. His shoes were size 9, but his feet were a 10 1/2. I showed his worker the stuff and they ended up issuing us a check for clothes. Until we received a check he shared clothes with O.

When O came he only came with sweatpants, a million different sweatpants. They were in okay shape, too big on him though. His worker dropped off a check with him.

In NJ they generally issue a clothing allowance, carseat allowance and a diaper/formula allowance when the child is placed. I know sometimes the state is really desperate and I've heard of them dropping off beds for children to sleep in. We've never had that happen to us, but it's not unheard of.

T, a little 2 yr old girl was placed with us last tuesday and literally came with the clothes on her back, a bottle in her hand and 12 diapers. That was it! And the clothes she was wearing were too big, a size 3t and she's barely a size 24 months. So she needed everything.

Financially get ready, the allowance $$ won't cover everything. Trust me it all starts adding up. Toothbrushes, hair brushes, hair decorations for girls, shampoos & conditioners & oils & goop, diapers, wipes, creams & ointments, OTC medicines that they need, extra papertowels, all the laundry you'll be doing, clothes, toys, tons of food (especially for 3 more), sports activities @ YMCA, school supplies, daycare/preschool/afterschool activities, new sippy cups, shoes (you know their shoes aren't going to fit them), winter jackets and clothes, pajamas, the list goes on.....

Enjoy the children,
LeenaB

[SuzBerg]

Regarding carseats: You might ask friends/family members if they know anyone that has one. We had two friends offer booster seats for our recently placedd 2 1/2 year old. A lot of people keep them after their kids outgrow them and they are still in generally good condition. I am sure someone would love to share instead of it just laying around in their garage or attic. I have heard that you shouldn't use one that has been in a car accident or is older than 5 years old (I think that's right?).

You could also see if anyone has hand-me-down clothes, toys books etc. Our daughter came to us after being in 2 foster homes the first one for the majority of her life (almost two years) when she got to the 2nd foster home they only sent 4 outfits and 3 toys (not sure why but I think 1st fmom was mad). We have Christmas picture of her with tons of toys but none of those made it to the 2nd home. 2nd foster mom bought lots of stuff off e-bay and at consignment stores/garage sales. We were lucky because people threw us two separate "adoption showers". After 3 boys it was great to get lot's of girlie things. I hope people are generous with your children as well. Good Luck!

SB
Mom to 3 great boys (age 13,9,6) and one miracle by adoption