[diane beth]

Wow! Three boys and one girl. 5, 4, 2 (Girl), and 6mo. They ended up going to relatives but cw said it may not work out. Nothing like starting out with a houseful! I thought about it but hubby said "Take em"! So we did. A few hours later we found out we weren't getting them. It is probably a good thing cuz we are under a winter storm warning for tonight and tomorrow. I don't have proper food in the house for the 6mo old. Not sure what kind of formula he will be on. I would brave the storm though if I had too.
We were just licensed this week. So looks like we won't be waiting too long for a placement. Anyone have any advice? Thanks~ Diane

[LadyBugz]

No advice. Just living vicariously through you (even if it is short-lived).

[bjhv5]

THat first call is SO exciting!!! Most of the babies here because of WIC are on carnation good start,I would get 1 can of that just to have on hand.Get some Kid friendly foods to again just keep on hand(like can chef boyardee type stuff) most of these children are use to eating the cheapest(not healthiest food)food out there.
It wont be long and you will have a house full like us!!!! It is so great,crazy,mind blowing LOL

[bjhv5]

Oh one more thing if you do not have an emergency stash of clothes for the ages you are wanting I would go to your local Salvation army or consignment shop and pick up just a few things because again most kids dont come with anything.All of ours came with the clothes on there back and that was it not even sippy cups or bottles,diapers anything.The two girls we just got came from another foster home and I still had to go get somethings for them like toothbrushes and socks.

[diane beth]

Well I kinda thought you would all tell me that maybe I shouldn't take so many for a first placement, but I see ya all are just plain crazy like me! Actually I would rather have 2 or 3 to start with but we are not good at turning children away. Plus we are excited about it. I have 2 grown dds, an 18 yr old that loves kids and lives home but she works. My married 21 yr old wants to come over at least 1 day a week to help. Having help will make it easier.
I have quite a few clothes and winter coats but it looks like I won't have to much for the baby. They told us they don't usually get babies. I did some garage sales and used clothes stores and I have some but not enough. Getting a call like this makes me realize how unprepared I am. Last week I remembered that I didn't have any socks. So I bought some in all white in three sizes. Kind of important for Michigan winters. I also need an infant car seat. Last year we traded our mini van in for a car. Looks like if we get this many we will need a van too! Yikes!

[bjhv5]

You sound so much like me.We are out looking for a 15 passenger van right now because we have a car and a minivan which it takes both for us to all go somewhere.

AS for the infant care seat until you find out what age baby it is I would get one that converts like 5-40 pounds one that does rear facing and front facing. They do not stay in the infant one very long.And here if you get a baby from the hospital you get the care seat they would give to mom and dad so that would get you through.
Good luck and go for it !!!!!!!!!
OF COURSE I AM A LITTLE CRAZY LOL .

[leaabc123]

Some things depend on where you are. I have picked up newborns from the hospital before and had to have our own car seat.

Also, our babies have been on WIC and none of them used the carnation good start. So, either buy a can of each kind or you can wait and see. I have always asked that they bring a few cans of formula to start off with until I could get to the store.

Also, sometimes the kids are on WIC but the checks don't come with them and then it can be tough. Around here, they will not issue new checks if they can not find the old ones so you can be stuck. And if the kids aren't on WIC already, it can take a few weeks to get started.

If at all possible, have a credit card or stash of money (around 200-500 dollars) that you can use for placements. Also, if you haven't already, check out freecycle.org. There is probably a group in your area. They were great when I needed infant clothes and things for a few new placements.

[Concerned]

Wow, congrats!! We were like you. Our first placement (and only) was a sibling group of 4. They were 4, 2, 1 and 5 days old. We got the call, thought about it for a few minutes, then decided lets do it. So i called our CW and said we would do it and she told us that the state had given them to another family. We were a little let down but it was our first call and we didnt know how the system worked. Well the next day we got a call saying the family that took them didnt want them they were too rowdy. So she asked if we would reconsider and we did. We had nothing we were totaly unprepared for 4 kids, we were originally thinking about children in the 10-16 age group as our children were grown and on their own. We went out and purchased 2 toddler beds, and someone gave us a craddle for the baby. We also bought a bunch of snack foods we thought he kids would like.
The baby came to us with formula and a few diapers. but we needed to buy diapers for the 2 and 1 yr old. They came with alot of stuff so clothes wasnt a problem. They only had a few toys so we went out the next day with the kids and let them pick out some toys. They all came with car seats so we didnt have to worry about that.
....And then the fun or (nightmare) began. Our training said we would have a month of honeymoon time. We had two days. These kids were animals. We were their 4th home in 9 months. We did not know what we had gotten into. We wanted to give them up every day, but we didnt we stuck with them. Our house was destroyed. They broke lamps, candles and mirrors. They threw tantrum after tantrum. Everyday brought new problems and new challenges. My wife was in tears most of the time. To make a long story short, we have had them 10 months now and even tho its not always easy, we have fallen in love with them and they with us. TPR is march 15th and we are hoping that we will be able to adopt them. You may have read some of my other post and know the problems we are having, but we feel like God wanted them with us to begin with and when the state gave them to someone else, God saw to it that we got them instead. So even tho the state now wants these kids to be adopted by a relative they dont even know, we feel like God will allow them to remain with us.
Its tough getting 4 kids that young, but stick with them and you will soon reap the benefits. They just need to be loved.
Good luck and God bless.

[fulldozen]

Our first placement was a sib group of four, which grew to a sib group of six. It sure fills up the house in a hurry! We had them for 11 months before they were returned to **.
Now, I'm waiting again!
My best advice is ORGANIZATION!
Pj
mom of 6 kids
step mom to 5
foster mom to many

[diane beth]

Thankyou for all the replies. I went to Walmart today and they had sweat suit separates for $1 each infant to 5T. These will work out great. They can use them for pjs or clothes. I bought a set in each size for boys and girls.
Wow! Mr. Concerned I am so glad everything worked out for you. That was kinda scary to read. Isn't it easier that they are young? I am more leary of taking kids over 5. I figure the younger the better. Thanks again everyone! I have learned so much here. I really don't know where I would have been without all the information I get from here. Our training didn't even scratch the surface. I know every case is different but I sure have learned alot! ~diane

[momofmykids]

You might want to pick up a few sippy cups, too. Playtex are the best because they don't leak...not even if they throw them across the room!!! Also, pick up a few bottles, just the inexpensive kind, you can get them for about $1 each at Wal Mart. It's not the kind of bottles I use, but they'll do in a crunch.

WIC will pay for formula, and MOST of the time, the WIC program pays for Good Start formula unless a doctor has said (and written an rx for) something different. That couls change, though. Whenever the contract comes up for renewal, if Enfamil wins, the WIC will pay for Enfamil. Crazy!

Also, put the word out to friends that you're fostering. Alot of times, they'll give you clothing that their children have outgrown. I recently just gave a bunch to a family who's fostering and she said it was a huge help.

[leaabc123]

I have to disagree on the formula brand that WIC pays for. I believe that this depends on your area. Here, we have had several infant placements and except for one, who was on special formula, the rest received Enfamil. This was last year and the beginning of this year.
So, check with other foster parents or call your local wic office and check to see what they usually pay for, in your area.

Also, you may want to buy a few different bottles as not all babies use or like the same kinds. We used the ventaire bottles with plastic inserts for most of our babies.

[healingmachine]

I have to agree with Lea--check your local WIC...in my area the formula for WIC is Similac Advance.


Also, Gerber bottles are pretty cheap and you can find them almost anywhere...I love Avent though!!!

And if you have a baby just starting finger foods or can be introduced, Cheerios might be a good idea and a good cereal for older kids too!

Just some ideas!

[chrisfraz]

How exciting! We just got approved on Feb 1st and we got our first call on Feb 6th. The CW had a list of 16 children needing homes. She read the first sibling group & I told her that was enough we would take them in. The girl is 10 months and the boy is 2 yr old....... I agree with the list of things above I did buy clearance clothes for the past 6 months. And bottles etc. I didn't expect the 2 yr old not to eat regular food (but he's learning) He wanted everything from a can! They are both so small. she only weighs 10 pounds and the boy is 25 pounds... But we are so excited and they are doing so much better in just the few days we have had them.

[bjhv5]

Chris,

congrats!!
Our first placement was fast as well.I can not belive the 10 month old only weighs 10 pounds!!! My 6 month old weighs 16.3 at her last visit.
I am sure they will thrive in your care!!