| What I Hope Foster Parents Remember to Do This School Year Jul 26th 2011, 23:07 It's almost time to send kids back-to-school. Now that my daughter is almost 14 - I really don't mind her hanging around the house, so I'm not ready to send her back to school. She's pretty funny and a great kid. She doesn't read this blog, so I'm safe in sharing that with the world. Yes, she's a freshman this year! Back in 2007, I was upset that she was a big 5th grader! As I ponder what I want to say in my yearly back to school blog - I don't want to focus on the general back-to-school theme, but gain the attention of foster parents specifically. What I hope foster parents remember to do this school year. - Try to send your foster children to school in clothes and shoes that the kids can be proud of owning, not all hand-me-downs, or noticeably used garage sale finds. Children can be cruel and foster children have enough to battle just with the title "foster kid".
- Your foster child benefits from after-school activities too. After gaining social worker and birth parent permission - look into sports, clubs, or other activities.
- Buy their school picture. Some refuse to spend money on their foster children's school pictures.� Buy a modest package and place the pictures in their lifebooks, give some to the birth parents, and hang one on your living-room wall. Nothing will make the child feel like they belong more than seeing their picture hanging next to other family member's pictures.
- Volunteer in some capacity at least once this year. It can be a small gesture, donate cookies to a party; or bigger, help out on a field trip. Your presence will help the teacher feel more comfortable speaking to you about any concerns, you can observe your foster child interact with peers, and you will validate your love and concern for the child when he sees you caring about him by just being there.
- Go to the child's school conferences. Invite the birth parents, if appropriate.
- Attend their school programs, games, and other events. Again, invite the birth parents, if appropriate.
- Advocate for your foster child's educational needs. You are the expert on that child while he is in your home. If, for example, visitation during the school day is not working out, then report that to the child's social worker. Advocate!
- Remember your foster child's confidentiality - even at school
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What ideas would you add to this list for foster parents sending their foster children off to school this year? Click "Comments" below and share. This blog post is part of the All About Parenting Back to School Blog Carnival, hosted by Jennifer Wolf, the Guide to Single Parents.
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