How to Prepare to Parent a Foster Child

By eHow Parenting Editor

The preparations for becoming a foster parent are the easiest part of foster parenting. Make sure that before you parent a child, you are prepared for all of the child's needs. You will need to care for their physical needs first and foremost, of course, but all foster children have very complex emotional needs. Each child will be different.

Preparations

Step1:Baby-proof or child-proof your house. This should be done as soon as you are approved.

Step 2: Set up a bedroom room separate from other children, if at all possible. Make sure it is somewhere that can be quiet and calm when the child is in it.

Step 3:Locate and check emergency caregivers or daycare center before you parent a child. Know the specifics of what may be needed (i.e. medical treatments, alternatives for allergies), and be sure the facility or caregiver can accommodate them.

Step 4:Make arrangements to get appropriate car seats, based on the general ages of the children you intend to parent.

Step 5:where you need to go for medical care.

Step 6:Ask your agency for information on Lifebooks. Some agencies will even give you a pre-formatted one for you to fill in. These are usually for birth certificates, social security cards and other vital records.

Step 7:Read books or talk to a child psychiatrist before you agree to foster parent a child to make sure you know how to handle any emotional problems.

Before the Child Arrives

Step 1:Set up an area in the room with children close to their age if you weren't able to create a separate bedroom for the child.

Step 2:Make arrangements with caregivers or a child care center before child arrives. Recheck to be sure they can accommodate all medical treatments or allergy situations before the child arrives.

Step 3:Before you pick up the child or arrange for them to be brought to you, check to see if they need a car seat. If they do, install the car seat. Make sure you have the car seat checked for safety. You can call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK or go to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Website to find a location near you to get your car seat checked.

Step 4:Find out when the child's shots and checkups will be needed, and find out any other medical information you may need. If checkups or shots will be due within a month or less, make arrangements immediately. Doctors are usually booked a month in advance, except for emergencies.

Step 5:Obtain or create a Lifebook for each child before they arrive. Be sure to pass these, as well as baby books, scrapbooks or other records, along to the worker when the child leaves. You should keep a copy. The child may contact you one day, and it will make them feel good to know you have kept reminders of them. These records could also be lost as workers change.