Laura • Foster Parent Partner

You don’t necessarily *need* these, but you might *want* them ☺️ I have poured so much into creating these resources for new foster parents so they can feel confident as they enter these brand new situations. 💛 Check them out for free. Comment TEMPLATES and I will send you the link. ⬇️ If there is a checklist or a template that you want, let me know and I probably have it, but I also take requests 🧐

SPOILERS! What did you all think of Moana 2? Let me know in the comments! 👇 In this video series about kids movies, I share some considerations if you have a sensitive child in your home or a youth who has experienced foster care. 💛 #fosterparent #fosterparenting #fostercare #moana #moana2

We are blown away by the generosity of our amazing community—over 1,400 gifts were donated to make this holiday season unforgettable for teens impacted by foster care. Each present is a reminder to these teens that they are loved, valued, and never alone. 💖 A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and to Laura of @foster.parenting for organizing such a meaningful drive and choosing Common Thread as the beneficiary. Your kindness is lighting up lives in the best way this season! Stay tuned for our recap of the Holiday Celebration taking place RIGHT NOW✨—we can’t wait to share the joy and gratitude your support has brought to these teens! #1400Gifts #HolidayGiving #FosterTeenSupport #ThankYouDonors #CommunityLove #CommonThreadHoliday #commonthreadcommunity #utahyouth #slccommunity #buildingconnections #teenevents

What toy has been loved in your foster home by every age - prek, elementary, middle school and high school? let me know in the comments! 👇 #fosterparent #fosterparenting #fostercare

Disruptions are typically higher during the holiday season. When I polled about 350 former foster youth, I was shocked at how high this number was. 😩 Foster parents we need to do better. We need to plan ahead. Don’t assume that your travel plans will be approved and make sure you have a back up plan. Please remember to remain trauma informed. The holidays can bring about new and different trauma responses. We need to lean on each other to help each other out through the holiday season. Please check in with your foster parent friends, offer to babysit or provide respite for a few days or drop off food or gifts. 💛 To the foster parents who are able and willing to provide a nurturing, safe environment for youth during the holidays, please be sure you tell your worker or department that you are available for emergency placements, or sign up for an emergency shelter program. Have you said yes during the holidays due to disruption? How do you supported the youth and helped them feel nurtured and safe during those moments? Let me know in the comments ⬇️💛

As you do your holiday shopping this year please consider adding a gift for a teen impacted by foster care to your cart 🛒🙏 ‼️We have a little less than 200 gifts left, please help us clear the list! Comment GIFTS below or share, like, and save to boost. Thank you to everyone who has already purchased! It is meaningful!! 💛💛💛💛🙏🙏🙏🙏 Learn more about Common Threads here > @commonthread_community

Some things that may support a child in your care who has experienced food insecurity: - keeping a stocked fridge - having a posted/consistent meal schedule - not shaming or punishing kids for hoarding or sneaking food - allowing access to food at all times, consider access in room (modify based on age and needs) - don’t talk about financial worries in front of kids - connect with professionals to help support the youth - put/keep snacks in their backpack (don’t forget daily refills!) What would you add? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ 💛Thank you for watching this repost! I will be mixing these in because…. Life. :) thanks for understanding. #fosterparent #fostercare #fosterparenting

It’s possible to work full time while providing foster care but from my experience, it isnt easy. It took flex time, remote work, support services, and strategic planning. How do you make it work? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️💛🙏

Caseworkers often have huge workloads in foster care. 💔 I wish there was a perfect system where workers had reasonable case loads but that isn’t the world we live in. It is not uncommon that foster parents will need to follow up or be a squeaky wheel when it comes to advocating for the needs of the kids in their home. Here are some tips as you navigate this for new foster parents. How do you handle these situations? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️ #fosterparent #fosterparenting #fostercare #socialwork #caseworker 

Getting to bed and sleeping through the night can be difficult for kids in foster care due to their past trauma and/separation from their parents. In this video i show a lot of different things you can do to be supportive at night. 💛 What types of things come up in your home? Let me know in the comments below! ⬇️ #fosterparent #fosterparenting #bedtime #sleep #fostercare

There is so much that we can do as foster parents to support kids through the holiday season. It can be complex, joy filled at times but heavy at others. How do you support in your home? Please add to this video! I plan to make a part two - I know there is so much to cover 💛 🎁As a reminder, I’m currently asking for gift donations for teens in foster care. 🙏 for some, these will be the only gift they receive this year. Comment GIFTS to get the link to shop stocking stuffers and gifts. Thank you in advance for your care!! #fosterparent #fostercare #fosterteen

As we embark on the holiday season, here are some considerations as you plan and prepare. 💛 While the holidays can be full of joy and festivities, the holidays will likely look and feel different for you and your family because you are adding in crisis, trauma, and loss AND potentially a different culture or set of traditions. There is an opportunity to embrace and support all, but it will take some planning and flexibility. I encourage you all to plan now while there is time to find events, community resources, respite, or modify a visit schedule. I welcome you to add to this post below in the comments! ⬇️ #fosterparent #fosterparenting #fostercare