By: Les Harris, LCSW
Clinical Consultant, Utah Foster Care
It is well understood that foster parenting is both demanding and rewarding. Learning to balance life as a foster parent requires imagination, flexibility, and careful planning—not to mention support from various resources. Here are some ideas that may help you balance these demands:
- Predictable routines can help both foster parents and children feel a sense of stability, increasing feelings of security.
- Use concrete supports such as family, friends, and other foster parents. They can be valuable sources of emotional support as well as practical assistance—helping with transportation or child care, for example.
- Be involved with other foster parents through support groups and events that bring like-minded people together to build a sense of community.
- Focus on daily doses of relief—small activities that help alleviate stress. Word searches and Sudoku puzzles, for example, can provide temporary distractions from a stressful world. Find what works for you.
- Have realistic expectations and understand that challenges will arise. This mindset can help you navigate the ups and downs of fostering.
- Work closely with your child’s school and healthcare providers to ensure their educational and medical needs are met. This collaboration can also help you recognize potential physiological explanations for behaviors and emotions.
- Be flexible and adaptable to handle unexpected changes in plans.
- Take advantage of available resources such as webinars, downloadable materials, and foster parent clinical support.
- Have an emergency plan in place to prepare for unexpected situations.
While there may be no single strategy to address all the demands of fostering, remember that consistency over time can help you find balance.
