Unfortunately, children in foster care can be exposed to multiple traumas and disruptive events even before and as they transition into adulthood. This can easily lead to problems in academics, relationships, and physical and mental health.
Here at Family Care for Children & Youth, we are dedicated to providing warm foster care homes and families across Pennsylvania. There are bound to be hardships which is why we want to provide you with common issues you may encounter when a foster child is in your care.
Uncertainty of the Future
By possibly being moved from house to house and not being in a permanent home they can call theirs, there can be a feeling of uncertainty among foster kids. They may have a hard time connecting with other foster kids and distance themselves from them and their foster parents as a way of protecting themselves.
Feeling Unwanted
If a child is in foster care for a long period, he or she may have an increased chance of feeling unwanted which can lead to mental health issues like depression. It’s the job of the foster parent to make sure they are providing as much attention and care to their foster child as required to help them grow in a healthy way.
Lack of Attachment with Foster Parents
As a way of protecting themselves from others, foster children may try to distance themselves from their foster parents early; this can be because they may feel like they will just be leaving sometime anyway. Foster children may start to feel like it’s not even worth attaching themselves because it can lead to only being hurt. Foster children often struggle with attachment and may find it hard to connect with others.
Social Issues
This struggle with relationships can also affect foster children when they go to school. They may have a harder time making friends and connecting with others. Foster children may also have taught themselves not to trust adult figures which could lead to problems in school. They may not listen to their teacher much like they may not listen to their foster parents.
Although foster children face many adversities growing up in foster care homes, it is the job of the foster parents to ensure that they are given as much care and support as possible to their foster children. We carefully teach our FCCY families our proven techniques, theories, and responses, so they can form strong connections with the children they accept into their care. Become a foster parent today with FCCY to make a positive impact on a child’s life.
