A child entering your home has had a traumatic background in some way, that’s why they’re in foster care.

Different types of security systems can help both you and your child to feel safe in your home.

A child who has been abused in the bedroom, may have difficulty sleeping in a new environment for fear that someone will enter their room during the night. For under $10, you can give your child a sense of safety by providing a door alarm. We have used these for years, and there are several different types you can use.

The most inexpensive... more

Our church had its annual youth fundraiser this week. The youth sells pizzas (homemade) then a bunch of us volunteer and we crank out over 1300 pizzas in one day. It is an assembly line process, and one we have used for years.

This was Hannah’s first time helping with this, and she did a great job. She was easily the youngest child there, but worked hard along with other kids and adults as well. This is a fun time, along with hard work. We laugh, work and help our church’s youth.

Things like this are great ways to help our kids. Hannah had an extreme... more

There is an interesting article in the Florida Orlando Sentinel that I hadn’t thought of before, but it makes sense. I don’t know why this hadn’t crossed my train of thought.

A poor economy leads to an increase in child abuse. Many families are struggling, even those that are considered “middle class.” I know our family has had to tighten our budget and it’s been a downright horrid winter here.

Fuel prices are up, which means it costs me more to put... more

This story from Houston has me wondering about the logic behind social services some days.

A change in the fire inspection process for foster homes has some foster home deciding to close, or take in fewer children, both of which are detrimental to foster care.

The couple profiled in the story takes in medically fragile children, who are probably among the hardest to place, and now this couple has had to reduce the number of children they can take, all to avoid astronomical... more

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Our final set of questions will focus on the child’s behavioral and school issues, how the child feels about adoption and other miscellaneous questions.

Behavior

• What is personality and disposition... more

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Part 2

When it comes to physical and emotional health, you will have many questions about your child. Some questions can be answered. For others there may not be information available. Birth parents should fill out a family medical history, but not all parents do, and the information is only as reliable as the person filling it out.

The... more

Part 1

Our next set of questions will focus on the daily care of your child. Please bear in mind that these questions are written to encompass all age groups, and may not apply to your child.

Eating habits

• Large or small appetite?

• Likes or dislikes?

• Slow or fast eater?

• What are usual meal hours?

• Feeds self or needs help? Handles knife, fork and spoon well? Cup or glass?

• Are... more

Once you have been matched with a child, you will probably have a million questions and you will never be able to remember all of them.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. It is the only way you will gain knowledge about your child, and the knowledge you gain will help make your child’s transition easier. If you were moving to a country where you didn’t know anyone or anything and there were small things that were done such as having a pitcher of water next to your bed, or a nightlight in the hall to help you find your way, how would you feel? You can do... more

We are going to the Milwaukee Admirals game on Sunday night. We were going to go on Friday night, but a wonderful March snow storm made the roads unsafe to travel.

Friday night’s game was for a wonderful cause. $2 of each ticket price was going to Adoption Resources of Wisconsin. I have worked with ARW for several years. They have referred families to me to help find services, hook them up with a support system, or even find respite care. This is an organization... more

I love Dallas. I spent over five years there when my husband and I first got married. I love to go back and visit, so this story coming out of Dallas makes me sick and sad for the city.

Two little boys were thrown off a bridge before their mother jumped off the bridge herself. That is just the beginning of the story, unfortunately.

These boys had been in and out of the foster care system and had been victims of abuse by various family members, not just by their mother. The abuse dates... more