Families Supporting Adoption: Foster Care Myth #2

In a series of Wednesday posts, we will debunk some common myths about foster care. We welcome your comments and hope you will share your experiences with us at fsablog@gmail.com.

Myth:?I don?t have any children, and to be a foster parent you need to have parenting experience.

FACT:??You do?not?have to have any parenting experience to be a foster parent.??Many foster parents are childless. They are, however, responsible people who have made a commitment to children and demonstrate an ability to parent or learn.?In fact, state and private child welfare agencies provide excellent training programs to help people learn valuable parenting skills.???

My husband and I took our first two placements before we ever became parents through private adoption.??Incidentally, one of the things that drew our daughter?s birthmother to us is that she knew if we could welcome foster children into our home we would be able to love her baby.??(Mary M., UT Layton FSA)

The training my husband and I received as foster parents was by far the best training for parenting we have ever received. We think everyone should be required to take them before choosing to parent. ??

You do not need previous parenting experience to foster a child. ?What better way to learn how to be a better parent? You can help children and families in their time of need and also learn what works for you and what doesn't. My husband and I frequently joke that we practiced on the children that did not stay in our home and those experiences prepared us for the children that did.?? ?(Heidi N., UT American Fork FSA)

The classes you take to become licensed foster parents and the classes you continue to take each year to keep your license offer great ideas, insights and helps for those parenting any child.??? My husband and I feel that we became better parents because of the things we learned in all of the classes we took to become foster parents.?? You just need a loving heart and a desire to help children.??? There are many resources to help you as you begin this incredible journey....you are not alone. ?(Brenda H., UT

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