Questions Every Potential Foster Parent Asks: Your First Step Guide

Choosing to become a foster parent is a life-changing decision that comes with many questions and uncertainties. As you prepare to open your home and heart to a child in need, understanding what to expect can help you navigate the process with confidence. Here’s a guide to some of the most common questions potential foster parents ask when they start their fostering journey. 

“What does the process of becoming a foster parent look like?”  

The process involves several steps, including completing a home study and attending training courses. This is all to ensure you are well-prepared to provide a safe and stable environment for a child. During the home study, a CEDARS team member will assess your living situation, family dynamics, and readiness to foster. The training courses focus on topics such as trauma-informed care, child development, and handling behavioral issues. While the process may take some time, it’s designed to make sure you’re ready for the important role of fostering.  

“What age group or type of child can I foster?”  

When fostering through CEDARS, you can choose the age range of kids you’re comfortable providing care for. Whether you’re interested in helping babies, teens, or sibling groups, there are children in every stage of life who need a stable, loving home. It's essential to be honest about your preferences and limitations, as this will help match you with children who are best suited to your family and lifestyle. 

“How do I handle difficult behaviors or attachment issues?”  

At CEDARS, we take a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to care. We understand that many of the children in foster care have experienced difficult pasts, and we are dedicated to supporting their healing journey. Each staff member and foster parent is trained in trauma-informed care so that we can easily recognize the signs and reactions of trauma and know how to respond, avoiding re-traumatization. 

Kids in foster care may sometimes face emotional and behavioral challenges due to past experiences. Understanding the root of these behaviors and being patient is key to helping them heal. To assist families in navigating these challenges, CEDARS offers clinical therapeutic resources to those who need it. Additionally, each foster family is assigned a CEDARS family partner to better address specific needs. It’s important to remember that these behaviors are a result of the child’s past experiences, not a reflection of their character. 

“What if I get attached to the child, but they eventually reunify with their birth family?”  

It’s completely natural to form deep emotional bonds with a child you’re caring for. Foster care is often a temporary arrangement, with the goal of reunification with the child’s biological family if possible. This can be one of the toughest aspects of fostering, but knowing that your role is to provide love, safety, and stability during a difficult time can bring peace. Many foster parents find comfort in knowing that they’ve made a lasting, positive impact on the child’s life, even if their time together is brief. 

Opening your heart and home and becoming a foster parent is a big adjustment, and asking these questions is the first step toward making a meaningful difference. By being well-informed and prepared, you’ll be ready to provide the support that children in foster care need and deserve. 

Learn More About Becoming a Foster Parent