Foster Kid Blogs

January 3, 2012, 5:52 am

Recently I've been using a visual schedule with my "littles." A visual schedule is just that; simple pictures, photographs or drawings show a child what is happening now and what is coming up next.  A web search of "visual schedule" will give you some great examples.  It is a fairly co mmon tool...

January 11, 2012, 2:04 pm

One thing that is often missing from a foster child's life is the basic 'you are part of the family' stuff. By this I mean that when you are dealing with your children they have specific rights or privileges simply because they are part of your tribe. Maybe your children know that they will get...

January 14, 2012, 2:30 pm

I have found myself in a difficult position that greatly resembles the situation many people who are involved in foster care are in. In order to bring a child into your home that you have no history with, you either have to have the patience of a saint or the ability to take things as they come. I...

January 17, 2012, 8:29 am

The most frequently heard question around these parts is, "How do you do it?  How can you let them go?" I realize most people are "wondering aloud."  They don't really want to know how I do it, they are wondering if they could do it.   However, if you get asked a question frequently enough, you...

January 21, 2012, 10:08 am

Having an exchange student in my home has given me another perspective on life. Things in America are definitely different from in other countries. The things that we take for granted are not often not true in other parts of the world. One of the biggest differences is the Foster Care System. Those...

January 29, 2012, 3:35 pm

I am snuggled up on the sofa with two of my favorite people. It is just that kind of day- the snow is falling and wind blowing. It is cold. So the family is reading, blogging, watching, puzzling and cooking. Everyone is at their respective 'favorite' activity. I can't think of a better way to spend...

February 6, 2012, 6:30 am

We have a new little friend in our house for a very short stay; it's a long nickname but we refer to her amongst ourselves as  "la pequeña muchacha."  She speaks mostly Spanish which has been a wonderful challenge for me; I have not used much Spanish for a long time, but as it turns out, baby-talk...

February 15, 2012, 8:29 am

I love the word "adios."  Amongst my Spanish speaking friends, it really just means good-bye but the literal translation is more like "to God."  It seems like the perfect term to send off our latest little charge. “La pequeña muchacha" has gone home.  She was both funny and sweet and we really...

February 18, 2012, 4:20 am

Have you ever noticed that some children have very tired eyes? I have and I always wonder what is going on in their lives that makes those little eyes so very sad and worn. I am a people watcher- it is my curse. I watch young people, older folks and kids- all of the time. I thrive on detail and...

February 22, 2012, 6:23 am

Have you ever tri ed "growing" as an attachment exercise?  For some reason, when we help something grow, it helps us grow together. Let's start with bean growing.  This is a great activity to do with foster kids, even ones very new to your home.  Beans sprout and grow rapidly so they are as...