How to help foster families and children in your community.
Last week, in my blog post about our staircase decor I shared about a woman I know becoming a foster mom. Since then I’ve shared more on my Instagram stories about how she and her husband are becoming first-time parents through foster care.
As you may remember, Roger and I became first-time parents through foster care too. So when we found out they were becoming foster parents we immediately jumped on board to be a part of their support community. What we didn’t realize is that they had already finished the classes and were just waiting to be approved, which means they could get their first placement in the next week or two!
We were in shock! In shock that they had kept it a secret for so long. But then as I started thinking about it, it totally made sense. I remember how difficult it was to tell friends and family because we knew not everyone would be fully supportive of our decision. And it’s scary being vulnerable with the ones you love.
I’m still hearing untrue stories about our time as foster parents and how we felt about it. And sadly, they are tales being told by people close to us who others in our community would consider a reliable source.
So false rumors about us hating being foster parent’s and how we would never do it again (plus many more untrue tales and stories I don’t wish to repeat) continue to be spread by word of mouth.
Part of me can’t help but wonder if the women I mentioned and her husband didn’t reach out to us sooner because they had heard stories about our time as foster parents and didn’t want more discouragement. And this completely breaks my heart!
The reality is there was hope that we would be able to foster again this year. Our foster care license was good for two years. So if we had sold our house in the spring/summer, were able to settle into a new home over the summer/fall, then by fall we could have taken some refresher courses and updated a few things and opened our home back up to foster care again.
But since that didn’t happen, we are continuing to seek out ways to help foster families in our community. And since this is the season of giving I wanted to encourage you to find ways to help foster families!
Below I have compiled 5 ways help foster families and children in your community.
1. Create a Prayer Group
One of the easiest ways to support a foster family is by praying for them. Form a group of people, friends, family, coworkers who will all dedicated time each day to pray for the family.
If there is just 3 of you, one could pray at 8 am, the other at noon, and the third one at 8 pm every day.
Or you could have a daily text go out reminding a big group of people to pray for the family, the kids, the bio family, or any specific needs they have that day/week.
2. Meal Train
Life is extra hectic when you get a new placement(s).
Between transferring children into a new school system, setting up routines, doctor’s appointments, getting to know each other, etc. life is crazy hectic.
While meal trains are something people regularly do for families bringing home their baby from the hospital, it’s not something people often think about for foster care.
And believe me, it’s greatly appreciated!!
3. Foster Care Shower
This one is specifically for families entering foster care for the first time, especially if it’s a couple who are becoming first time parent’s through foster care.
If you are a parent you’ll most likely recall how overwhelming it was to make sure you had everything you needed ready by the time you went into labor and how grateful you were for your friends and family throwing you a baby shower (or 2, or 3, depending on your community, church, job, etc.).
Now imagine becoming a first-time parent through foster care.
Trying to make sure you have something for every age and gender.
The foster family I mentioned above is currently preparing for 1-3 children, infant-5 years old, boy or girl.
That’s a lot of stuff you need to be prepared for!!
Because the reality is children often come to you with nothing but the clothes on their backs (we have first-hand experience with this!).
If the foster family prefers not to have a foster shower (my mom and sister offered so many times, but I chose not to because I didn’t want those who were struggling with the idea of us being foster parents to feel obligated to come) another option is to ask for their registry.
Most families have a registry simply because it helps them stay organized so they can see what they have and need.
4. Run Errands
Once a foster family has a new placement(s) there is always a plethora of things they will need.
Sometimes it will be a certain type of formula (and since formula shortages are still taking place having lots of people looking is SO helpful), maybe the kid(s) came with no clothes or they need a winter jacket/hat/shoes/etc.
Even with grocery pickup, getting everyone packed up into a car to go get the groceries can be daunting.
Or maybe they refuse to eat and are requesting something that reminds them of what their parents use to make or buy them.
Sometimes when I’m at home baking and then run out to the store I’ll pack up a little bag of things at home, pick up a few things at the store (while I’m already out shopping), and then drop it off at a foster families home as I’m on my way home.
5. Offer to Babysit for Date Night
This one will vary depending on the state guidelines and foster children’s needs.
But offering to babysit so parent’s can get a date night is one of the biggest blessings.
Honestly, this was critical for our marriage and we’ve been together for over 10 years!
If you aren’t ready to jump into babysitting you can always offer to come over and watch the kids while they take a quick shower, a walk, or just take a few quiet moments to themselves in another room.
What are some of your favorite ways to support foster families?
Feel free to comment below, email me, or tweet me on Twitter!
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With love, Giusti
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Psalm 95:1-2 NIV
