Parenting
fromPsychology Today
3 days agoIs Foster Parenting for You?
Foster parenting requires changing parenting methods to respond to trauma-driven behavior rather than using traditional discipline.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dorenne Simonson, 66, who is her granddaughter's kinship care provider in New Jersey. Simonson has parented her since she was two months old. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. I've always been in a situation where I had to spend whatever I made. There's no retirement account when you're single and raise five kids by yourself.
The best advice for foster parents is to approach each child with patience, empathy, and a willingness to grow alongside them. It's a journey filled with excitement, nerves, and sometimes overwhelming emotions. Stepping into this role means opening your home and heart to a child in foster care, providing the love and stability they need to thrive. Here we will discuss practical suggestions for fostering parents and thoughtful insights for first-time foster parents. Support, preparation, and patience will guide you as you begin this rewarding
"Being a mom made me better at my job. […] All that unfiltered, spontaneous play? It's made me better at my job. I develop ideas faster, take more creative risks…"