In recent years, the stigma surrounding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) decreased. PTSD is a mental illness brought on as an unconscious response to some form of trauma. It can lead to the development of other disorders such as depression and anxiety. In teenagers, being the victim of abuse, violence, or accident causes trauma. Dealing … Read moreUnderstanding PTSD in Teens
If your foster child is a teen, then you’ll need to prepare him for the time when he leaves your home. Adult skills are necessary for him to hold down a job, manage finances well, maintain a tidy home, and care for his own family. So many young adults enter the real world without good … Read moreTeach Your Foster Child How to Adult With These Strategies
You want to nurture your foster child’s talents and help them build strong friendships. You’re considering extracurricular activities, but some are over your budget. Don’t worry, there are some activities for your child that are not only fun but affordable too. Never force a certain activity on your child if he or she shows no … Read moreAffordable Extracurricular Activities for Your Foster Child
Mental health is equally as important as physical health. Children and adolescents are in rather difficult stages of their lives. They are figuring out life and discovering who they are. These are their prime years. They are surrounded by a lot of people (especially at school) who influence their behaviors and thinking patterns. Some of … Read moreCheck-In With Your Children Daily
With over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States, the need for loving foster homes continues to rise. Seven thousand of those children reside in Kansas alone. While becoming a foster parent may not be for everyone, some otherwise great potential foster parents may harbor fears that keep them from receiving a child … Read moreAddressing Common Foster Parent Fears
Talk to any foster family and you will know that fostering is hard. It is also fulfilling and worth the effort. You may or may not be in a position to be a foster parent at this time but one thing you can always do is offer support to those who have chosen this path. … Read moreHow to Support Foster Families Immediately After Placement
Keeping your child safe and healthy often requires a parent to make difficult choices. Sometimes, youth are faced with serious psychiatric problems. Their behavior can be unpredictable, difficult to manage, and even dangerous. Indeed, certain psychological issues cannot be managed successfully at home. As a parent or guardian, you have limited resources. A residential setting … Read moreDoes Your Child Need Residential Treatment?
Once you decide to bring a foster child into your home, you have to be prepared when you tell others. Be prepared. Not everyone is going to be happy for you. In fact, your extended family members may try to convince you not to do it. Fostering a child can be great, but it can … Read moreMore Tips to Introduce Your Children to Foster Children
If you have decided to foster children who need a good home, that is great news. However, be prepared that not everyone is going to be happy for you. Your extended family might question your motives and reasonings. Some may even try to convince you not to foster a child. Fostering a child can be … Read moreTips to Introduce Your Children to Foster Children
The sun is shining, school is out, and it’s time to have some summer fun. Get the whole family involved and make plans to spend some quality time together.
This time off from school is a great opportunity for you to connect with your foster child. These summer months are also critical for foster children, many of whom have moved around a lot during the school year. If they have fallen behind in their schoolwork, now is the perfect time to help them catch up.