The Foster Parents' Podcast

  Episode #15- Improving Beahvior with Role Plays Part 2 Things to be Aware Of This will take practice. It will not feel natural the first time. Having a structure is important when doing role plays. Role plays will be more productive. You’ll be able build a routine and habit. You and your foster kids Continue Reading …

Episode #014 Improving Behavior with Role Plays Part 1 Things to be Aware Of First thing to realize, doing role plays can be a little uncomfortable at first. Grown ups have a harder time remembering how to use their imagination. To see the benefit, you must be consistent in your effort to create meaningful role Continue Reading …

Episode #13 Meditation and Avoiding Burnout with Zeena Burse Zeena is awesome! She’s a wife & mother of four children. Has been a psychotherapist for teens and young adults. Has worked with foster children and Families. Rejuvenation We don’t give value in our own rejuvenation. We need to be aware of the need to take Continue Reading …

Episode #12 Dealing with Stealing First thing to realize, stealing is often a coping mechanism. This little action may stem from having to steal to meet survival needs. It might come from a need to be in control. It may have been acceptable, and in some cases a taught, behavior from bio parents.. Just because Continue Reading …

Episode #011 – Why We Do Foster Care In this episode we discuss some of the reasons that we got into foster care. We also talk about why we have started podcasting. Why We Became Foster Parents We both had a desire to work with teens. Ben coached high school football. Deb worked at a Continue Reading …

Episode #010 – Pros and Cons of doing Foster Care In this episode we talk with our first guest, our 6 year old son Parker, about the Pros and the Cons of doing foster care through his eyes. Pros- -Always having someone around to play toys with him. (This only really happens when we have Continue Reading …

Episode #9 – Preparing Foster Kids for Transition In this episode we talk about what we do to make transition from our home to another placement positive. With all the transitioning from one placement to another, it is important that we make this process positive and as painless as possible. Here are the 3 things Continue Reading …

Episode #8 – Putting Your Marriage First In this episode we talk about how couples can protect themselves against the stresses that come from foster parenting. Here are 3 things we do. Being on the Same Page – If you don’t agree with your spouse on how you are going to discipline or what different Continue Reading …

Episode #7 Summertime Structure Part 2 We structure free time to help motivate our foster kids and to help them get the most out of their free time. We are also flexible so that we can all have a fun summer without stressing out too much about our summer structures. Structure Free Time – Sleeping Continue Reading …

Episode #6 Summertime Structure Part 1 We have/keep structure throughout the summer because we feel like the foster kids are getting a lot accomplished, but still feel like the have a lot of free time. We keep structure at home because of the loss of school structure. School- -We usually do about 1 hour/day during Continue Reading …

Episode #5 Support Systems Stayin’ alive in Episode 5. Sorry I was so tired. Too many late nights. Proactively build your support system. Friends Not everyone will be uber supportive. Some of your friends might distance themselves. Your family might think you are weird. Some friends will step up and really support you. Ours (shout Continue Reading …

Episode #4 Our BIG Win Boo-Yah! Makin’ headway. Johnny is improving his behavior. He is constantly trying harder. Johnny used to throw fits anytime he had do something that he didn’t want to. Especially when you asked him to do homework, a chore, or even washing his hands before dinner. We’ve been very consistent. We Continue Reading …

Episode #3 Motivating Your Kids Episode 3 comin’ atcha! If kids aren’t motivated, they’re not going to want to do anything. How to get your foster kids to make their beds with the Bed Fairy. Bed Fairy comes and leaves treats if beds are made properly. Comes consistently for the first week or so, but Continue Reading …

Episode #2 Building Positive Relationships Part 2   Sweet! We made it to Episode 2. Benefits of building relationships Foster kids need someone to show them that they care. Youth are more willing to listen to you and work with you. Relationships make it so you can teach life skills to your foster kids. Role Continue Reading …

Episode #1 Building Positive Relationships Part 1 Our podcast is FINALLY live! Oh Yeah! Building Relationships is the KEY! Some people foster to adopt We foster to foster Basically we don’t really want to adopt because it doesn’t fit us. We tried once, but that didn’t work out. No matter how long you are going Continue Reading …