1. Pray! -A foster family can undergo so much within a short amount of time. In a matter of hours, they can go from a house with no children, to a home full of two or three. They need prayers of strength, to make it through that first night. They need prayers of encouragement, to know that they can handle whatever comes their way. They need prayers to have restful nights, because the struggle can be real!

2. Food-With a now busy family, foster parents may find it hard to cook a meal and clean up afterwards (especially if they work full time). Ask the family what they like to eat and when would be a good night to drop off a meal for their family. This also frees them up for quality family time in the evening!

And let’s be honest… It’s usually absolute chaos during those first couple of weeks of a placement. There are tons of appointments, in-home visits, visits with the family, and everyone adjusting to each other. The very last thing parents want to think about it is how in the world are they going to feed everyone.

3. Offer help-Ask if you can get their groceries or groceries pick-up order. You can also volunteer to help with small housework such as dishes, laundry, vacuuming or sweeping. If the foster parents would prefer to do the housework, offer to bring a craft or a toy and entrain their little ones in another room. This gives the parents a chance to quietly and efficiently do housework without wondering what their child is up to in the next room.

4.Attend Appointments-Even just having one little one can be stressful at times. Ask a foster parent if they need an extra hand at any upcoming doctor appointments. It could be a simple as holding the child while they get signed in and help hold the diaper bag. Just this small act can help a foster parent relax during an appointment.

5. Offer gently used items-Families who foster babies are in the greatest need of “stuff.” Car seats, bottles, clothing, or other equipment. Want to be even more awesome? Offer to store the items in your garage and bring it over when it’s needed. Foster families already store an enormous amount of gear for future placements, it would be nice to not have one more thing to house. Copied from: https://www.frugallivingnw.com/how-to-support-foster-parents/

6. Group Donation -Have your foster mom make a wish list of the most crucial items she needs. I suggest items that are gender neutral and can be used again. (Bouncy seat for baby, gender neutral toys for tots, etc.) Then have a group of friends, family, or church members purchase items from the wish list. Almost like a baby registry!

7.Make a gift basket-Coffee or food gift cards, stress relief items (LAVENDAR!!!), movie & popcorn, spa day gift certificate, calendar, photo album, and toy for the little ones.

8. Provide respite -If you are wanting to foster but can’t full time, research your states DHR website and see how to become certified to offer respite. Foster parents may need just some mommy & daddy vacation time. They may also have to go out of town for other unforeseen circumstances. This is where you can step in as someone who is already a friend of the family and offer your help over the weekend. This takes a load of stress off the foster parents knowing they are in certified care and it’s an extra bonus when you are friends with them too!

9.Offer photography skills-Just like an ordinary parent, foster families love having pictures of the children. Offer a free photo session and be sure to include any upcoming holidays in your photoshoot! Although they may go back home, being able to keep pictures will help keep their memories for that foster parent.

10.Just be there for them-Sometimes adults just want another adult to talk to. Be there to listen to your foster parent friends! Let them vent, let them de-stress. Maybe they want to talk about something totally different than children and foster care. Don’t agonize them with the “I could never…” conversations. They hear it from strangers every day. Just be there for them, attentively!