Foster The Family

There are great rewards that come along with being a foster parent, yet there are also great challenges that can leave you feeling depleted, alone, and discouraged. The many burdens of a foster parent's day--hurting children, struggling biological parents, and a broken system--are only compounded by the many burdens of a foster parent's heart--confusion, anxiety, heartache, anger, and fear. With the compassion and insight of a fellow foster parent, Jamie C. Finn helps you see your struggles through the lens of the gospel, bringing biblical truths to bear on your unique everyday realities. In these short, easy-to-read chapters, you'll find honest, personal stories and practical lessons that provide encouragement and direction from God's Word as you walk the journey of foster parenting.

Though the words "foster care" are not in the Bible, the act of caring for the vulnerable is clearly important to God. Perhaps nowhere is that kind of tender attention and care for the vulnerable more evident than in the act of fostering a child. But as foster parents pour themselves into the children God has called them to care for, they may find themselves feeling emptied, in need of being refreshed and reinvigorated for the day to come. With 60 devotions written especially for foster parents by a foster parent, Filled offers a special boost of spiritual energy and encouragement particular to the unique joys and challenges faced by those who open their homes and hearts to kids in need of love. Each reading includes Scripture, a real-life anecdote from the author's experience as a foster parent, an explanation of the biblical text, and suggestions for continued reading.

Explores the challenges created by adoption and foster care, and identifies steps members of blended families can take to ensure a strong foundation.

This book is a witty and intriguing look into the world of foster care through the eyes of a foster parent. It breaks down the expectations and regulations that parents in foster care are faced with, and it touches on the problems in government policy that affect foster children. It does all this while thoroughly entertaining the reader. It is an indispensable resource for anyone considering adoption or foster care and a great read for just about anyone else.

More and more individuals, families, and churches are seeking ways they can respond to the biblical mandate to care for "the least of these." The desire to help children coming from difficult situations is a necessary starting point, but what comes next? You need to know the steps for getting involved and what will truly help. Filled with real-life stories and practical advice, Called to Care starts by helping you honestly assess your motivation to help--sometimes the wrong motivation sets the stage for an unsuccessful experience. From there, the book shows what adoption and foster care really look like in a variety of situations, from domestic and international adoptions to short-term foster care and foster-to-adopt arrangements. Also included is how churches and individuals can minister to refugees. Rounding out this comprehensive yet concise book are tips for assessing your preparedness, how to meet common emotional and physical challenges, and the most effective ways to help families stay together and thrive. Bethany is a global nonprofit that supports children and families with world-class social services, all designed to help families thrive. We believe every child deserves to be loved, connected, and empowered through family.

The Foster Parenting Manual is a comprehensive guide offering proven, friendly advice for novice and experienced parents alike. Distilling many years' experience into one book, John DeGarmo combines his own wisdom with that of fellow foster parents. He describes what to expect from the process, how to access help and how to ensure the best care for your child. He tackles thorny issues such as children's use of the Internet and social media, managing contact with birth parents and how to support your child at school. Most importantly, he provides advice designed to help your child feel safe, secure and loved. The Foster Parenting Manual offers seasoned, sympathetic advice that will be valued by foster parents and the professionals who support them.

Children in foster care are often misunderstood and unheard. "When Will I See My Family?" shows Alex and Derek's first twenty-four hours in foster care. The book creates normalcy for children and provides comfort to know they are not alone when placed in a home. If you're welcoming a child into your home, the story can spark conversation and shed light on the experience of being placed into a foster home. This book will help you relate to a foster child in your life, whether you're a foster parent, sibling, teacher, neighbor, or friend.

Sometimes things happen to parents that make it impossible for them to care for their kids--it could be illness, incarceration, job loss, or other reasons. Fortunately, there are loving parents who are willing to take in, or foster, kids who need someone to look after them. This book looks at how foster families are made and how they might thrive. What is a family? What used to seem like a simple question has grown ever more complex. The set explores the different types of family structures that have become increasingly common in the 21st century. The books provide not only objective demographic information but also friendly, accessible advice for kids with nontraditional" families. Each title in this series contains an introduction, color photos throughout, and back matter including: Helpline contact information, an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

This book was a breath of fresh air! The recipes are delicious and the book is truly inspiring. A truly inspirational and empowering journey that teaches us how we can all learn and grow from one another in ways we could never imagine. This book is the moving story of a comfortable suburban mom who stepped out of her comfort zone and found meaning by stepping into the pain of kids in foster care. It is part of the author's memoir and a part cookbook from a young man who aged out of foster care - and how cooking together brought healing and built trust. Some of the recipes are very simple to try and others will challenge you to put a bit more love and time into learning a new technique to create something scrumptious. This book will encourage you to open a bottle of wine. Connect with your family, laugh, be grateful and consider making a meal and making room for one more at your table. This book will inspire you to step out of your comfort into a life of meaning.