One of the things I’ve noticed over the years is that, while I have a lot to learn from other, more experienced foster parents, mental health professionals, books, etc., the people who have taught me more than anything about how to be a good foster parent or foster caregiver if you prefer is children who are or were in foster care. The kids who have come and gone from our home as well as adults who are former foster youth have taught me more than anyone about what it’s like for kids in foster care and what they need most from those of us who step in to care for them when they are in trauma or transition. One of the things I love about this podcast is that it’s giving me a chance to connect with people like today’s guest—former foster youth who are willing to share from their experiences in order to help foster parents like me do a better job caring for our kids.
Brittney entered foster care when she was 16, but her journey with the department of child services and CPS started way before that—years earlier. Brittney spent most of her childhood bouncing around between friends and family members, going from school to school (or sometimes not going to school at all), experiencing many forms of trauma and violence, before finally entering foster care as a teen. When she did, she landed in a home where her life changed dramatically for the better. As I listened to Brittney, I noticed a theme that comes up over and over when I hear from former foster youth, and that theme is presence. What foster youth need more than anything else when their own parents are unable or unwilling to care for them is a caring adult who is consistently present—someone who is there for them through thick and thin and able to give unconditional love and patient guidance.
It’s so important for us foster parents to hear from those who have lived through the system. So with that, here’s my conversation with Brittney.
For more information and resources for foster parents, please visit afosteredlife.com, where you’ll find blog posts, youtube videos, and social media links so you can connect with others on the foster parenting journey.
If you’re interested in supporting my work at A Fostered Life, please go my Patreon page, where you can become a patron. Just one dollar a month helps offset the cost of producing these resources and enables me to offer them freely to new and prospective foster parents, and I’m grateful for the support of my patrons.
Thanks for listening and thanks for caring about foster care.
Ep 25: Natalie Vecchione on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Ep 24: Dr. Samantha Coleman and Sandria Washington Take Us "Black to the Beginning"
Ep 23: Whitney King - Supporting Families in Crisis Before They Become Families in Crisis
Ep 22: Jason Johnson on the Unique Role of the Foster Father
Ep 21: Marvin Charles on Reuniting Fathers With Their Children
Ep 20: Rena Konomis of Project Search and Reunion
Ep 19 Virtual Visits in Quarantine
Ep 18 Foster Care for Refugees
Ep 17: From Cuddler to CASA
A Listener’s Feedback on Episode 10
Ep 16: Author & Entrepreneur MaLisa Riley
Ep 15: Blogger, Child Abuse Survivor, and FFY Cherie Renee
Happy New Year! Announcing This Month's Giveaway Winners!
Ep 13: Advocate and Author Jillana Goble
Ep 12: Three Strands—A Church-Based Approach to Supporting Reunification and Family Preservation: My Conversation with Tonya Foulkrod, Part 2
Ep 11: From Foster Parent to Family Preservation Advocate: My Conversation With Tonya Foulkrod, Part 1
Ep 10: Foster Parenting Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Conversation with Kevin
Ep. 9: When Foster Parents Fight for Reunification: A Conversation with Lauren
Ep. 8: It's Never Too Late to Choose Love: A Conversation with Bryan Post
Ep 7: Foster Parenting & Flexibility: A Conversation with Melissa Smallwood
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