[Shelly77]

So, some of you may have been following my story of Princess, a 9 year old that we are adopting.

I have a question for all of you foster parents, especially any of you that strictly foster until an adoptive or permanent placement can be found.

In our case, Princess's foster mom is really doing well. She has guided Princess through a year of turmoil, given her a stable moral/ethical foundation, provided well for her mentally, physically, and emotionally, and prepared Princess for adoption.

We are probably fairly close to Princess moving to our home. And we anticipate that the foster parents will become a part of the "extended family" after finalization.

I want to give something to foster mom/dad as a thank you for all that they have done for Princess and for us. I'm not sure what might be most appropriate or most liked and just looking for ideas. She has given us the most precious gift in Princess and all she has done for Princess to be ready for this and nothing I can give her would compare but I feel compelled to at least express this with something.

So, do any of you have examples of things you have received from adoptive parents that meant alot to you? Do you have any advice regarding a gift like this?

[elk134]

We have both fostered and are in the process of adopting. The young sibling group we had- originally went to an adoptive family 4 hours away who stopped ALL contact with us (when they said they wouldn't & the kids were with us over a year). So I am sure the kids were disappointed- they had been told they would see us again, but to them we dropped off the face of the earth. Well, to keep a long story short, that adoption ended up disrupting. The kids came back to the area and are now with a new, GREAT, family. This family has brought us back into the kids' lives (and their behavior has improved dramatically!). Basically we are so greatful that they are allowing us to be a part of their lives. THAT is the best gift they could give us. We are actually going to their home tonight to have dinner and visit with the kids. So, IMO, you are already giving them the best gift you could give, keeping them in Princess's life, so she doesn't have yet another loss to deal with.

Congratulations on your new addition!

[arbuckle17]

put them on your christmas card list, or send school photos every year.

Add in a thankyou letter about your feelings and it would really make their day.

[HONUVALEBEL]

We made a framed scrapbook page. You can get the 12X12 paper and the special frames at a craft store. We put several pictures of the boys in it with quotes and phrases all about "thanks". Each boy wrote a small one-line note and I glued that it there as well. It turned out beautiful and she seemed to love it.

[DannieAS]

when a friend of mine adopted her girl, she gave FP a framed picture of her with her with new family....the FP stated that this was a great gift because it made fostering this little girl all worthwhile to see her with a forever family...

[jp4ga]

I just love getting update pictures at Christmas and maybe an annual school picture. It lets me know that my angels are doing alright. Many foster parents never forget the children they have had in thier homes.

[snc2007]

The framed scrapbook page sounds perfect to me. What I would value most though would be a letter of thanks naming all the great things you listed that she has done for your dd.
Congrats on your upcoming adoption!