Lessons From Foster Care

• Take any new child in for a thorough physical to see if there is anything, ANYTHING that needs to be treated.
• If you have clues, about a previous illness, that have come with them, ask about them.  Push and prod until you know for sure that the illness is gone gone.
• Try to do this before coming into contact with all your family and friends.
• Persevere, all the love and work you are putting into this child will make a difference no matter the size. 
• Despite possibility of some illness, don't be afraid of loving them completely - and let your little girls love on them too.  
• Accept help from others.  
• Ask for help from others.  
• Get the sleep you need, even if all the linens, clothes, and cloth anything need to be washed and dried in high heat.  There is time for that tomorrow.
• If your child is fussy...lay them down and sing/play:  
• "Clap your feet  - clap feet to the rhythm
• All you people
• Shout to God with a voice of triumph
• Clap your feet
• All you people
• Shout to God with a voice of praise
• Hosanna  - alternate legs up and down
• Praise Him
• Shout to God with a voice of praise"  - clapping again
• My husband can take 2 seconds on my post and take the dots off the "list" that I just wanted to be song lyrics.
• Baths and splashing can be a reprieve (for parents) and a delight (for kids).
• Oatmeal baths are cheap and easy ("recipe")
• God is good, all the time.  All the time God is good.
• Pray!  Pray for perseverence, pray for the kids, pray for the parents, pray for change, pray for miracles, pray for courage.
• Make connections.  As we are now taking care of our first foster child we were given a foster parent mentor that we can call and email.  What a great idea.