Foster – verb (used with object)
1. to promote the growth or development of; further; encourage: to foster new ideas.
2. to bring up, raise, or rear, as a foster child.
3. to care for or cherish.
These are the definitions and I love them so much. Think about all these things when you think of the term foster parents. We do so much more than make sure they have clean clothes and a bed.
I don’t often dabble in poetry but today this just kind of popped in my head. It all started when someone said the word foster the love of reading. I thought about all the many foster children we have bought books for and all the million other things we do for them. It’s so much more than any birth parent must do. Yes, it’s true. Foster children often come with a whole new set of challenges that our biological children didn’t have to go through. The biggest one being the loss of their first family. They often come with behaviour issues, mental health issues, medical issues and more. Only good foster parents can truly understand the lengths that we go to.
the Good Parents
You foster a love of learning by reading to the children, buying them books, taking them to the library and teaching them to read.
You foster their intelligence by sending them to school and then helping them with homework and answering a million questions a week to help them learn and grow their minds.
You foster their friendships by driving them all over town and often out of town so they can spend time with those they love.
You foster curiosity by stopping along the path to investigate a seed pod, wade in the river to look at the creatures, collect things, open things, talk about things and help them discover their world.
You foster joy by laughing at things, sharing funny stories and jokes, watching funny movies, reading funny books or comics and playing fun games.
You foster peace by tucking them in at night, reassuring them, quelling their fears, and keeping calm when the storms are raging in their mind.
You foster their sense of responsibility by allowing them a pet, giving them chores, teaching them to care for younger children and their property.
You foster passion by helping them embrace their skills; violin, hockey, dance, painting, reading, helping, working, talking, cleaning, cooking, sewing, computers, and so much more.
You foster health by taking them to their doctors appointments, dental cleanings, eating healthy and doing lots of fun activities.
You foster independence by teaching them rules, showing them the world and teaching them the skills they need to survive and thrive.
You foster love by hugging your family, loving on friends, kissing your spouse, holding their hand, catching their tears, rubbing their back when they are upset and spending time with them.
My prayer is that everyone who has a child strives to be the good parents.
by Adelle Norg
SDG
Adelle On Fire 
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