Books are a great way for newer foster parents to learn more about the foster care experience. These 5 books are our top picks.
Becoming a foster parent is a rewarding journey.
That journey requires knowledge, empathy, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of children in care.
For newer foster parents, books on foster parenting can give valuable guidance and give new perspectives on the experience of a child in care. To help get you started, here are five must-read books that every new foster parent should add to their list.
"The Connected Child" is a book that helps parents understand the behavior of kids who have gone through tough times. It talks about how trauma can affect how a child's brain works, how they react to fear, and how they process things with their senses.
It also talks about how important it is for children to have a loving environment, even before they're born. Stress during pregnancy can affect brain development. The book gives practical tips for handling behaviors linked to a child's past struggles, highlighting the role of fear and the need to feel safe.
Overall, it's a valuable guide for parents with kids in care who have faced difficult situations.
Find the book here.
In "Three Little Words," Ashley Rhodes-Courter shares her personal journey through foster care.
Taken away from her troubled mother, Ashley faces a series of challenging and sometimes abusive foster homes. One particularly bad home is exposed, highlighting the flaws in the child welfare system.
Ashley's fight for justice begins when she connects with a lawyer, Mary Miller, who genuinely cares about her. With Mary's help, they take legal action against the abusive foster family, bringing accountability to their actions. Ashley's life takes a positive turn when she's placed with a couple who provides love and stability.
In summary, "Three Little Words" delves into the foster care system, showing the challenges children face, the importance of advocates like Mary Miller, and the resilience that can lead to triumph.
Ashley's story not only highlights her bravery but also exposes flaws in a system that, at times, fails to provide the care and safety needed for at-risk children.
You can get the book here.
"Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate is a compelling novel inspired by real-life events. The book delves into the historical practice of child trafficking and the impact it had on families.
“Before We Were Yours” tells two interconnected stories from different time periods:
The novel is based on the real-life scandal of Georgia Tann, who kidnapped and sold children to wealthy families.
Newer foster parents should read "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate for its historical context — it sheds light on some injustices in the adoption and foster care systems.
It also raises awareness of certain issues, guides foster parents through difficult family dynamics, and serves as inspiration for advocacy, encouraging foster parents to contribute to positive change.
You can find the book here.
In "The Whole-Brain Child," Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson offer insights into children's behavior by talking about how their brains develop.
The book explains how a child's brain is wired and matures, highlighting the dominance of the emotional right brain in young children. The authors give strategies for parents to navigate challenges, such as tantrums and defiance, by understanding the science behind these behaviors.
They introduce twelve key strategies, including using storytelling to calm emotional storms, engaging instead of enraging, using physical activities to shift emotional states, and guiding children through negative emotions. The book aims to help parents encourage healthy emotional and intellectual development in their children.
You can find the book here.
"Raising Good Humans" by Hunter Clarke-Fields is a valuable resource for foster parents looking for guidance on helping a child’s emotional intelligence grow.
The book offers practical techniques to break free from reactive parenting habits to raise kind, cooperative, and confident children.
“Raising Good Humans” teaches skills to handle stress and suggests thinking carefully before reacting in tough situations. The book covers how to speak nicely to children, solve problems peacefully, and really listen to them. It also encourages parents to break old, negative behaviors.
The book is a must-read guide for parents, giving advice on changing habits to make things better in the home.
Find the book here.
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