Preparing for Foster Care Respite
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There is always a need for ❤LOVING❤, 💪SUPPORTIVE💪, and 🕒PATIENT🕒 foster parents who will ⚖ADVOCATE⚖ for the kids placed in their home. We hope that by us sharing our journey as a foster family, that it inspires others to learn more. Contact your county, foster care agency or visit www.adoptuskids.org to learn more.
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Be The Village
P.O. Box 348
Maineville, OH 45039
A note as a former foster kid, a lot of us have been through certain abusive situations which can make hygiene difficult. I was placed somewhere and the mother lowered the lights, had a candle going (might not be safe or appropriate for certain situations), a speaker so I could listen to whatever music I wanted, ran a bath, little bath bombs made it feel good to take care of myself and my body. Reinforcing that the door could be locked (may not be able to do this for every kid) and that I was safe to relax and unwind. Just a thought if you have a temp or perm placement for someone who might struggle with cleanliness. Make the bathroom a place they want to do. I have felt so dirty at times that I could never get clean so why bother. This woman really met me where I was at.
Thank you for sharing this. These are things we will definitely incorporate. It’s also a reminder to put the Echo Dot back out for music.
What about a battery operated candles? Some look pretty good. Seem like they come in packs.
When I worked at a Children’s Shelter while in college, I would take some of the kids to get hair cuts, some new clothes and pictures done. Many missed picture day or moved before they got them so this was a way for them to have some when they were feeling good. It was amazing what a haircut and some new clothes would do for them. Haircuts were always trim and style for the girls. Can’t do anything drastic without parent permission.
That’s a great idea. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind as we have kids come through!
I remember everything about being in what is called a 'group home' in the U.S and what we in the UK call a 'children's home'. I was only in my children's home for a few months but *I wish I could have been placed with people like you and John, rather than being put in that 'home'.* Don't get me wrong, the people who ran it were very kind, but they had a couple of dozen kids to look after, and I appeared to be [and very well might have been] the least of their worries.
The kids that come to you in respite will definitely feel as special as they are. Y'all are amazing and I think this chapter will be such a great experience for y'all.
A good thing to add for people with curly hair is a denman brush, they're easy to clean out as well, and can be used on a big range of curly hair types!
I don't foster, but respite always sounds to me like "spending a weekend at Grandma's" for bio kids.
So many awesome tips, thanks for sharing! Loved the tip about providing respite for local group homes - it's so needed!
You're so thoughtful! I'm sure the kids who come to stay with you for respite are going to feel so loved. You think of all the little things, like how a teenage girl might be embarrassed to be on her period with strangers, or how a new kid might be anxious about asking for snacks/etc or about food availability, and the room decor. Your heart's in the right place and it really shows.
Loved seeing more of you "foster hoard" as we call it! While my partner and I have been awaiting our license we have been building ours by visiting thrift shops and scouring clearance aisles. We dream of having a whole shelf full of supplies to offer for them, or for them to gift to others! 💖
Yes!! A foster hoard 🤣 it’s such a great feeling having them pick from things that we saved money on! It’s how we stretch our dollar while making a difference.
I love watching videos where you are preparing your house/refilling things for the kids who are going to come to stay with you! For some reason it is very relaxing to watch! I can tell how much you guys care and how warm and loving you are, any kid who gets to stay with you feels it too I'm sure!
I was just about to suggest you also set out some pads in addition to tampons as not everyone likes tampons (and the other way around). But, of course, you were on top of it and had already thought of that! The room looks so cozy and comfy!!
I learned that lesson with having many girls come through lol
I LOVE that you and John go out of your way to make the kids who come and stay with you comfortable. From the bedding & room decorations, to the snacks.. you guys put a lot of thought into it. I appreciate you both SO much! ❤️
Thank you for the acknowledgment! The little things are really what can go a long way. The kids won’t remember much about their stay with us but they’ll remember how the felt and we want them to feel comfortable, welcome, and wanted 💛
They seem very intentional in their care regardless of how short or long it might be. What a breath of fresh air.
@@arceniodomingez7755 This is incredibly inappropriate.
@@arceniodomingez7755 You are not a child and this isn't about you.
I love that you appreciate filling your cup before giving to others.
I would love a video about group homes. I’m wondering- are group homes a last resort when there aren’t any foster families who are able to foster them? Are they for the children who prove to be difficult during their placements previously? Why does the government think a group home would be a good idea for certain kids and not try harder to get them into a family environment?
oh my gosh i just wanna give you a big hug.
I feel it
I'm totally gonna steal your idea with your stockpile! This gives me some incentive to continue organizing/cleaning our garage to make room for something like this. Thank you!
For sure! Just start with one bookshelf or utility shelf and when you go to a store, check out their clearance. Don’t buy everything you see… but really think about if it is generic and fun enough to check multiple boxes (age, interest, culture, etc). And neighborhood garage sales are great too! Lots of families who have too many birthday or Xmas gifts that never got open sell them for cheap. What we do is after 2 years, if an item is still there, we donate it. Donate it directly to people who can use it.
Just a suggestion you mentioned running out and getting shampoo. Different hair types require different types of shampoo so you may want to get a variety maybe in a travel size so it isn't too expensive. I.e shampoo for black hair and white hair, dyed hair etc just to make them feel seen. I think they would really appreciate that
Exactly! Yeah I’m going to get a bit of a variety to cover bases. Thanks for the reminder!
Every one of your videos I watch inspires me more and more to foster someday! ❤️ I absolutely love the effort you put in!!!
Love to hear this ❤️
Great video Whitney! Really appreciate you explaining all the different ways in which respite can be helpful for both foster families and foster kids. :) Also, your eye makeup looks great in this video!
It sounds like things are going more smoothly. I am so glad that things are coming together for you to be able to share your family with some kids who need a break. Happy upcoming holidays!
Hey Whitney, I am approved as respite/weekend carer also. But since I just graduated as Clinical Psychologist and started my own business, it wasn’t the right time to take one or two kids in for the weekends. In a couple of months, the house I built will be done and after I’m settled in and find my own routine, I will also be open for calls again. Your videos keep me connected to what I want to do and make me a little impatient to take in one kid or two siblings for weekends and vacations! Lots of love from Belgium
I still use the cup you sent me with the bath bombs in it x
No way!! 💛
Excited for you! I've been trying to find a camera as well. If yku do a channel about photography or a series of videos, I'm sure many people would love that resource!
So thoughtful. Little things that mean a lot! 💙
I was trying to find out about respite in my country and thought I had found it because they said they had another option for foster care that was more short term. It turns out that it was quite the opposite. This option was for very short notice, with no time or information to prepare, because it is meant as a quick solution when children are placed in care but there hasn't been found a long term foster family yet. That sounds like its own kind of difficult. It is very interesting to compare different types of systems and look into this stuff, but it also gives me a tiny look into the frustrations you must feel with all of this confusing and contradicting information, if you can find any.
Looove that bedding!!!
The comforter was from Walmart :)
@@BeTheVillageCommunity Thank you!
My fiancée and I are in the process of becoming respite providers. We have the budget to easily get a decent Chromebook with a monitor, keyboard and mouse, along with a solid tablet (probably an Android due to multiple profile support) so the kids can easily do any homework or just chill. Do you find this is something we should have or is this largely unnecessary?
Good luck with the photography x
Would you mind providing the link to your camera backpack? It’s so cute and convenient!
Here it is: amzn.to/3wTHn61
I'll also add it into the description.
That dinner looked so good! Yum
Your eyes are so beautiful, thx for all the information 💕
Aw thank you 🥰
I brought home Sandals toiletries too 😂🤫🤭 I included them in a gift basket I made from our trip for our neighbors
Very smart 😆
Hey Whitney, I am getting ready to buy my Xmas cards and wondered if there is a foster kid charity that sells Xmas cards that benefit kids in foster? I’m in Washington but thought you might know one or some possibly. I usually do UNICEF cards but checking with you and autism support cards potentially also. Thanks.
Before they come do you know if the have allergies, are vegan or dairy free?
Not always but those are great questions to ask (older kids will know) when we go grocery shopping and sit down for our first meal.
Could a group home respite potentially turn into a longer term placement?
That was an awesome video your energy is inspiring, thanks for sharing, and doing what you do, anyways and as always stay safe, and God bless love ya Nancy
Foster parent in training here. Does respite care not cause more trauma, possibly? Since kids are just constantly being shuffled around? (Maybe not constantly, but you know what I mean)
I know what that's like my oldest is in 10th grade, my 2nd oldest is in 8th and now it's the year for my twins to decide will they follow their sisters and go to boarding school I still got 3 more after then so I'm in no way an empty nester but how they grow up so fast
Had no idea about your photography business etc.
Excuse my ignorance, but why are kids in group homes if foster families are available?
Not an ignorant question and honestly I’m not entirely sure. I may be doing some research and dedicating a video to the topic.
In Belgium, parents have the right to refuse foster families for their firstborn (strange rule I know) and if there are siblings about the same age, they don’t place them in families by themselves. That’s how whole sibling groups get into children’s homes. In children’s homes here, parents come visit their children on wednesdays and they have them over for the weekends (sometimes). They feel as if another family isn’t good enough / they don’t have enough control whereas in children’s homes there is not one “special” caregiver that could “take” the place from the parents (the mother frequently feels this way). It’s sad cause foster care does a lot to keep the connections between kids and their families. Also, we have a shortage of places in children’s homes as well as foster families so it’s not really the same as in the US.
Oh! intesting!
Yay 😀
This is a longer one, buckle up!! 😆
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You’re first!! 🙌🏼