| Thousands of people each year in the United States | | | | younger children are more open to changes |
| decide to become foster parents. This can be an | | | | compared to older children. Furthermore, very young |
| extremely difficult challenge for most people because | | | | children are easier to handle compared to older |
| foster parenting often involves dealing with an | | | | children especially teenagers. The best way for you |
| emotionally or developmentally disabled child. Even in | | | | to win over your foster kids is to spend some time |
| the best of circumstances children in foster care, | | | | with them and let them feel that you really care |
| have been traumatized by simply being separated | | | | about them. Simple things like taking them out to the |
| from their parents, if nothing else. | | | | park and playing with them often will help you get |
| Foster parenting may be a difficult task but if you | | | | close to them. |
| really want to make a difference to in a child's life it | | | | Where foster parenting small children is relatively |
| is worth the trouble. There are so many kids that | | | | easy, foster parenting teenagers can be very difficult. |
| need and deserve a stable, loving home to live in. To | | | | Most teenagers are rebellious so you need to take |
| help your foster kids adjust better, it would be a | | | | extra care when dealing with them. Learn more |
| good idea for you to read some books about foster | | | | about your teenage foster kid before you attempt |
| parenting and learn something about how you should | | | | to bond with him. Be very patient when dealing with |
| handle difficult situations with your foster kids. You | | | | your teenage foster kid. When deciding to take in a |
| may also enroll in one of the many foster parenting | | | | teenager take into consideration the health and |
| classes being offered at the local colleges and state | | | | safety of any children already in your home. Normal |
| agencies. | | | | teenagers in normal circumstances are difficult to |
| Living with your foster kids does not have to be | | | | parent. Add emotional problems and it becomes even |
| very stressful. The best way to break the ice | | | | more challenging. |
| between you and your foster children is to | | | | In any case special care must be taken by foster |
| communicate with them. If your foster children are | | | | parents to meet the special needs a foster child |
| still very young, you may have greater success in | | | | might have. It may take special training to foster |
| the areas of foster parenting. According to experts, | | | | parent a child that has been neglected or abused. |