Foster Parenting E-Magazine, February 2012
Foster Parenting Announcements
Photolisting: Is raising foster and adoption awareness one of your New Year's resolutions this year? If you have your own blog or website, perhaps you would like to add our Photo Listing Widget to help raise awareness of foster children nationwide.
Blogging: Interested in Blogging? We're currently looking for volunteer bloggers for the following categories: Foster Adoption and Foster Care. This may be the perfect time to voice your adoption experiences and share with our community during National Adoption Month!
Fostering Children With ADHD
Foster parenting can be an everyday challenge, but it also comes with many joys. Being a foster parent means that you may have foster children who may have emotional, physical, or mental setbacks, limitations, and issues. One of those issues may be Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or commonly known as ADHD. If your child has ADHD, it means s/he has problems with impulsivity, inattentiveness, and over-activity.
When determining if your foster child has ADHD, here are some common red flags:
- Easily distracted
- Overly squirmy or fidgety
- Difficulty listening when you're speaking to him/her
- Does not follow-through with chores, homework assignments, or other routine tasks
- Can't remain seated or still for long periods of time
- Procrastinates tasks regularly
- Perpetually disorganized
- Forgets things easily and often, including verbal directions or requests
Even though the above red flags are legitimate, they can sound like most children. It's true. All these behaviors are typical of children. So, how can you determine if your foster child has ADHD? The simplest answer is if the behaviors severely disrupt life at home, school, and with friends. If you suspect your foster child has ADHD, the best thing you can do is take him/her to a doctor for additional testing.
Whether or not your foster child has been diagnosed with ADHD, there are several things you can do to help him/her during everyday activities, tasks, and responsibilities. Here are just a few for you to consider implementing this week:
1. Structure is crucial. Make sure there is a set schedule for chores, homework, meal times, bed time, and so on. This will help your foster child know exactly what to expect and when. This way, s/he won't be surprised by events, which can disrupt the emotional, physical, or mental calmness.
2. Because children with ADHD can become too stressed too quickly, encourage your foster child to acknowledge and verbalize when s/he becomes too upset or stressed. That is when you know that s/he needs some time alone to regain composure. This behavior will be helpful for everyone in your home.
3. Be straight-forward and completely clear when it comes to expectations and assignments. You should be direct about what you want and need from your foster child. When s/he knows your exact expectations, it will help your foster child have a better understanding of your relationship and his/her responsibilities.
4. It will be easy for your foster child to become overwhelmed with large tasks and goals. If you need to, create smaller, more manageable goals along the way to the ultimate goal. This will lessen the stress on you and your child.
5. Exercise! Encourage a lot of physical activity outside and inside. The truth is, your child has a lot of energy. If that energy isn't released in a positive way, it will be released in a negative way. Go to the park, play tag outside, or just go for a walk each day. If you can, let your foster child participate in group sports.
Remember that foster parenting a child with ADHD can be hard on both of you. You may want to consider medication, if it fits in with your personal health beliefs. However you decide to foster parent, remember to put the child's needs first. Work together to find a solution to make ADHD more manageable and tolerable. It won't be easy, but the effort you put into it can make a world of difference. Remember, one step at a time.
The Adoption Photolisting
Hoping to Adopt? Create Your Profile Today and get 30 Days FREE!
Sign up with Parent Profiles to create your adoption profile today and start connecting with expectant and placing parents. Your profile will be featured on many of the best known adoption websites. Mention you saw this ad or when completing your paperwork use code PPCN and we will give you 30 days free*.
*Contact ParentProfiles.com for details.
The information and links displayed above relate to profile posting services provided on the ParentProfiles.com web site, which is a service of Adoption Profiles, L.L.C., who sponsors this section and is solely responsible for its content.
Foster Parenting Blogs from AdoptionBlogs.com
Schedule to Aid Transition and Beyond
Recently I’ve been using a visual schedule with my “littles.” A visual schedule is just that; simple pictures, photographs or drawings show a child what is happening now and what is coming up next. A web search of “visual schedule” will give you some great examples. It is a fairly coDSCN4679mmon tool for kids with autism. [more]
Texas Offers Free Pree K for Foster and Former Foster Care Children
If you have a 3 or 4 year old in your Foster Care home in Texas, that child is eligible for free Pre-K through the local school district. Some school districts begin the program at age three and some at age 4; check your district’s website to discover the age limits for your school district. Age eligibility in Texas is always calculated by the child’s age on September 1 so if your district offers Pre-K to 3-year-olds, your child will be eligible at the start of the next school year following her third birthday. [more]
Foster Parenting Community, News & Events
Foster Parent Support - How would you handle?
Foster Parent Support - Letter in the mail
Foster Parent Support - Another Tax Question
Foster Care to Adoption What is it Like? - Adopting 17/18 Yr old? "Adult" Adoption?
Each week, Adoption.com hosts a number of online chats on many different topics. To learn more about the Hosted Chats, visit the Adoption.com Events Calendar.
Add your non-marketing adoption related event at no cost. Get started today by registering for an account.
Foster Parenting Tip of the Month
Fostering children with behavioral or emotional issues is just a part of the experience. If you're feeling unsure about how to do it, consider visiting with a support group of foster parents. They can give you some great advice.
In Your Words
Have a question? Comment? In Your Words is your way to reach out to the adoption community and get tips from others and share important information.
Share Your Thoughts with Us
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