{"id":1086,"date":"2016-06-30T17:45:36","date_gmt":"2016-06-30T17:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fptemp.wpengine.com\/?p=1086"},"modified":"2016-11-03T21:16:00","modified_gmt":"2016-11-03T21:16:00","slug":"if-i-were-a-foster-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/?p=1086","title":{"rendered":"If I were a foster parent …<\/br>Perspectives from Youth in Foster Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the last issue of Fostering Perspectives<\/em> we asked young people in foster care, \u201cIf you were a foster parent, what would you do to help the children living in your home?\u201c Here\u2019s what they had to say.<\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

First Place<\/span><\/h5>\n

Genesis, age 17<\/p>\n

If I were a foster parent what I would tell the children living in my home they\u2019re not alone in life, that there is good in every child, and they have what it takes to succeed in life. I would cover their basic needs\u2014food in their stomachs, clothes on their backs, and a place to live. Most importantly, I would tell them that they\u2019re loved very much and not to feel different or alone.<\/p>\n

I want to see foster kids make it in life and find that one family who is out there waiting for that child. [I would] explain that being in a foster home doesn\u2019t make you a bad kid, or is something to be afraid of. It\u2019s not bad. It\u2019s just one step at time being taken down a tough road.\"kids-PG-quote-1st\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I want my own foster kid to be able to talk to me about anything . . . . I want to be able to have something to say back and be able to help to the best of my ability. I want to fulfill so many foster kids\u2019 lives and see the best out of them and have them feel they\u2019re not alone. . . .<\/p>\n

I want them to know that they\u2019re safe, that I can provide for them, and that I love them no matter what the situation is. I would have my child know that when they take that first step into my house I wouldn\u2019t treat them any different. . . .<\/p>\n

I want to voice my opinion and stand up to be the first and say what I think and how I feel about foster care and the kids waiting or going in and out of it. I want to fight and see these kids be happy and succeed and have what every other kid has. They should feel no shame to be in a foster home. . . . If it were up to me I would take in every foster child out in the world who is begging for a family . . . . I want to make a huge difference. . . .
\nGod makes things happen and I believe that foster parents will reach out and help these amazing kids who want a home and loving family. . . .<\/p>\n

So, I am saying to all those kids out in the world to stand by me, stay tough, have hope, and believe that something good will happen in life, that a family is out there waiting for you all. Your wishes will come true. . . . I\u2019m standing with all of you kids in the world today and for the rest of life to know that every day there is a kid who is being brought in a home to start a new beginning and life.<\/p>\n

All you foster kids, don\u2019t give up! There is a positive in life. Keep your heads up and voice your opinions. Speak up! Use your voice ! Stand tall and walk with pride because I\u2019m walking with you!<\/p>\n

Genesis received $100 for taking top prize in the writing contest.<\/em><\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Place<\/span><\/h5>\n

Braxton, age 9<\/p>\n

If I were a foster parent I would listen to [the kids in my care]. I would take care of them for the rest of my life.\"kids-PG-quote_2nd\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I would put them to bed and read them a story and rub their back. I would love them and help them.<\/p>\n

I would give them different experiences like plays, movies, sports, and trips.<\/p>\n

I would give them healthy food.<\/p>\n

I would buy them clothes.<\/p>\n

If they didn\u2019t know how to tie their shoes, I would tie their shoes for them. I would love them. (I was adopted to my forever home 1 year ago.)<\/p>\n

Braxton received $50 for taking second prize in the writing contest.<\/em><\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Third Place<\/span><\/h5>\n

Haley, age 14<\/p>\n

If I were a foster parent, my first action would be to make a lasting first impression. I would present [the kids in my home] with a gift while also incorporating something unique about them. For example, if I had a young foster girl with red hair placed in my care, I would probably give her a Raggedy Ann doll or a beautiful dress. Also, I would definitely have some down time with the child and get to know them on a personal level, learn about their skills and achievements, or favorite food and TV show.\"kids-PG-quote-3rd\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I think it would be important to celebrate their individuality and have a vacation picked out by each child. (Of course, these vacations would happen at different times). If I didn\u2019t have the funds, we would go to the park and explore or I would buy an animal.<\/p>\n

If I were a foster parent, I would definitely try to be a role model or parent figure, but not cross their boundaries. I would not try to replace their mother.<\/p>\n

Overall, as a foster parent, I would try to be fun and outgoing while also balancing family time. I would try to make sure everyone got along and was comfortable.<\/p>\n

Also, I would show them that being unique is something to be proud of, and accept any child I got, no matter their beliefs, gender, ethnicity, or sexual preferences. I would be their safe haven.<\/p>\n

Haley received $25 for taking third prize in the writing contest.<\/em><\/p>\n

* * * * *<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If I Were a Foster Parent<\/span><\/h5>\n

Julious, age 10<\/p>\n

If I were a foster parent, I would first get to know (children) by finding out what their allergies are and when their birthday is. \"kids-PG-quote-4\"<\/a>I would also ask if they were comfortable with our home and make some food they like.<\/p>\n

Also, I would go on a vacation every month or so. I think doing something a kid wants to do is important, and the whole family can have some fun for a couple of days, which is not too bad.<\/p>\n

Julious received $20 for having his essay published.<\/em><\/p>\n

* * * *
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Curious about Our Next Writing Contest?<\/span><\/h6>\n

Click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the last issue of Fostering Perspectives we asked young people in foster care, \u201cIf you were a foster parent, what would you do to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1096,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,24,20,1],"tags":[],"series":[1351],"class_list":["post-1086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parenting-kids-in-care","category-resources","category-self-care","category-uncategorized","series-may-2016"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1086\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1086"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fseries&post=1086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}