10 ways you can support Foster Families

There were baby dedications at church today.  It was touching to see dads reading scripture and declaring their hopes for their new babies.  It was a joy to watch families promise to lead their children in the way of God and train them in the way they should go.  It struck me that Little Man never had that.  He started his life drug affected, and will probably always struggle under the bad choices his parents made during the first several months of his life.  He didn't get a good start.

I believe his life can be redeemed.  That's why we're foster parents.  Sometimes people don't know how to support foster families. I know it can feel unnatural and temporary.  So here's a list of suggestions that  communicate support and love to foster families that are dealing with the fallout of some other parent's sin.

1.  Throw a baby shower or party for each foster child.  It's not about the presents, but rather celebrating the life of the child when they come to a new family.  If it's an older child, just a present can do the trick.  The stipend foster families receive is helpful, but it doesn't cover all the costs of a child.  Utilities, food, clothing, formula, diapers, wipes, and other staples are all expensive.  So, a shower is very nice.  Plus the new things will go with the foster child wherever they go. 
2.  Bring families meals when they get a new baby or child.  Adding a person to your family is always an adjustment, and it's hard to cook when you're adjusting.
3.  Bring a meal and pray for the family after they say good-bye to a foster child.  It's never easy.
4.  Offer to babysit so the parents can have a date and look each other in the face.  The emotions can take a toll on a marriage if the husband and wife don't keep their priorities straight.
5.  The most important thing you can do is pray for foster parents every day!  Some days are a battle. It's the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts that produces every positive lasting change.
6.  Don't treat the foster child as a second class member of the family.  While they're in the home, they're just another child and should be regarded as that, temporary or not.
7.  Offer to take the bio kids during the foster child's visitations.  Visitations add another thing on on top of a busy schedule.  If there are bio kids, they would love to do something fun while mom is transporting for visits.
8.  Invite foster parents out to do fun things.  Even though their lives are more complicated and they might say "no", it's still really nice to be invited and pursued by friends.  It communicates that we're valued friends even though our family has changed.
9.  Offer to take pictures of the foster child to give to bio parents of their newly formed family.  I have a photographer friend who continually tries to capture moments of our foster kids for their bio parents.  It's nice to give the bio parents something and to document our ever changing family. Surprisingly, most bio parents really appreciate the gesture.
10. Celebrate with foster families!  Little milestones mean a lot because they may be all we get to share with that child.  So, if a child starts walking, really make a big deal of it. If you get to celebrate a holiday with a foster family, try to make it special - the child may not be there for the next one.

I hope this will encourage you and give you some ideas to support foster families.  It's hard work and can be draining to families, but having the support of good friends makes it easier. Even if you're not ready to become a foster parent, you can have a significant impact in foster kid's lives by supporting foster families.