All Things Early Intervention
One of the hardest parts of being a foster parent is finding the middle ground. This is the space between your own family’s ideal normal and the reality of a child’s birth family. It is like walking a tightrope. You want to keep your home healthy, but you also want to make sure a child […]
While the foreign missionary crosses an ocean to find the “stranger,” the foster parent finds the “stranger” at their own front door. Both roles require a high degree of cultural humility, a willingness to be uncomfortable, and a commitment to serving someone whose life experience is vastly different from their own.
Going to court as a foster parent can feel incredibly daunting. The atmosphere is often tense, and the stakes are impossibly high: a child’s entire future hangs in the balance. We know our input is crucial for the judge to make informed decisions, yet the sheer process of getting our two minutes of testimony can […]
When we first announced our intention to become foster parents, the response wasn’t a universal chorus of support. While friends and family knew our hearts, several expressed a deep, lingering concern: “What about your own children? How will this experience affect them?” It was a fair question, one that sat heavy on our minds as […]
This experience forced a complete reassessment of our health protocols to move from general hygiene to strategic infection control. “Germs” is a non-medical term for microscopic organisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa—that cause disease. Children under seven are particularly vulnerable because they have immature immune systems and a natural tendency to put their hands and toys in their mouths.
She pointed to the ketchup. Okay, —a bit strange, but whatever brings comfort. Then she pointed to the mayonnaise.
Ketchup. Mayonnaise. On white bread.
This is where my inner dialogue—screamed, No, that’s gross. I draw the line.
The act of having an adaptable yet specific Standard Operating Procedure or “SOP” proved crucial during the chaos of bringing home a medically fragile foster child during a global pandemic. The Framework of the SOP being so simple reminded us to focus on essential needs to create a foundation of stability in the chaos.
Being a foster parent to a child with behavioral challenges can be emotionally draining. By developing strategies for maintaining composure, you can have a clear head to make decisions to put into practice to maintain a positive environment for both yourself and the child.
Our family recently embarked on a new adventure—becoming licensed therapeutic foster parents. Yep, that’s right—we’re officially in the business of opening our hearts and homes to kids with special needs.
All Things Early Intervention