Not all Sunshine and roses

One of the critical things you need to think about as a potential foster family is the impact it will have on your own family. Are you ready to support and care for children with real emotional and behavioral problems?
One of the key things I did through the process was research on the internet. I went to forums and message boards to try understand what some of the real challenges were facing foster families and children. It is not all sunshine and roses. Childrens Aid does not want to remove children from their home, they want to support and help families stay together. So the children who are removed must have lived through some very difficult and traumatic scenarios. Children are incredibly resilent but it is not realistic to think that they will behave and act like your own children. Some of these children will have difficulties in school and will need your help with homework- do you have the time and energy to do this? Some may have behavior issues, some may have temper tantrums, lying and stealing could be an issue and they need to be parented in a very positive supportive of way because many of these behaviors come from not trusting the adults in their life. You need to be able to build that trust. One thing to keep in mind is that you won't be doing this alone you will have the support of children's aid. You can't be expected to have all of the answers. So I wrote this not to scare people away but because I believe it is better to expect the worst and plan for the best than to be blindsided. If you can help just one child.....