Six Things You Might Want To Think About As You Undergo Foster Parent Training

Deciding to become a foster parent is a big decision. Foster parents need to undergo a considerable amount of training to make sure that they are adequately prepared before caring for their first foster child.

It's important that you think through training carefully and reflect on a few things as you prepare. The following are six things you might want to think about as you undergo foster parent training. 

Your relationship with your own family

Your own family and your past experiences with family members may have an impact on how you approach foster parenting.

It's a good idea to take a critical look at your relationships with family members. Consider any shortcomings in these relationships and anything that could be improved about them.

You want to be the best foster parent you can be. This means that you should avoid preconceived notions or bad habits you have regarding familial relationships due to experiences with your own family. 

Your reasons for wanting to be a foster parent

It's important to have a clear idea in mind of why you want to be a foster parent. You may be asked frequently throughout training what draws you to foster parenting.

Having a good understanding of what your motivations are can help you to express yourself about why you want to get into foster care. It can also help you understand what you are looking to get out of the experience. 

Your potential weaknesses as a foster-parent-in-training

During training, you want to work on your potential weaknesses. While you might have some natural skills that make you an ideal candidate for being a foster parent, there might be some other areas you need to work on.

Foster parents need a wide variety of skills including flexibility, empathy, listening, and patience skills. Learn about all the skills a foster parent needs and zero in on the skill areas in which you may be lacking.  

Your network of support

Being a foster parent is of course a huge responsibility. It helps to have a support network that you can lean on when you need help entertaining your foster children or simply talking about the foster parenting experience. 

Your support network can consist of others who you network with during foster parent training. Your network can also include your own family members and friends who are always there for you in your personal life.

Work on building your network of support as you go through training. 

Your goals as a foster parent

Perhaps you have some goals in mind as a foster parent in terms of what you want to contribute to the lives of your foster children. If so, it's a good idea to identify some specific goals in your mind as you go through training. 

Your commitment to foster parenting

Think about what's going to be required of you as a foster parent. Remember that you're not going to have the freedom you had before once you become a foster parent. Make sure you're prepared for the commitment before your training is complete so you know what you're getting yourself into. 

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