Top Ten things to do to get ready for your new foster - adopt child:

(Not in any particular order)

1. Clear your schedule. Have a lot of free time to devote to your new child - regardless of the age of the child. Take a least one week if possible to share time and activities. If you have a baby, take the time to rock and hold the baby. This initial intimate time together will help set up all future bonding.

2. Have a variety of foods available. Lots of kids from foster care have food issues. Although I don't agree with being a short order cook, have a variety... more

1. Have lots of patience - You’ll need it .... ...when waiting for placement calls ...after the children are placed with you ...during your adoption waiting period ...after adoption whenever the kids are cranky or not listening ...if you’ve adopted a special needs child 2. Have a large sense of humor - in other words, don’t wait until you think .... ....‘this will be funny someday’. It needs to be funny now or you might loose your cool! I know a foster - adopt parent whose child poops all over the house and specifically in the heater... more