How to Help the Youth You Foster Succeed in Life

In an ideal world, parents would take care of their kids and help them succeed in life. That’s not always the case though. Some youth end up in foster homes because they or their families are in desperate need of help. 

The hope is that foster parents can help youth succeed in life. There are a few ways to increase the chances of that happening.

Be Present

Some foster youth have never had an adult they can count on to be present in their lives. Foster youth may struggle to feel they can trust adults as a result. They may also feel like they’re not deserving of appropriate love and care. 

Being consistently present and involved in foster youths’ lives shows them they can rely on you. This can be challenging, since foster youth may have behavioral problems that can be frustrating or even heartbreaking to deal with. Consider taking classes that teach you the skills you need to address those challenges.

Match Them Up with Additional Resources

While you may be responsible for the primary care of the foster kids in your home, that doesn’t mean you have to do everything all by yourself. There are resources out there that you can use to help your foster kids succeed in life. 

Youth mentors can help kids struggling with adversity in their lives. Tutors can help them with their academic endeavors. Getting them involved in extracurricular and community activities gives them a chance to learn interpersonal skills and to work with other responsible adults who will hopefully be a positive influence.

Teach Them Life Skills

Have you ever wished you’d learned more practical skills in school? If so, you aren’t alone. Lots of practical skills aren’t taught in schools but are still essential to living a successful life. Help your foster youth by teaching them skills like how to change a tire or a lightbulb, jump a car, balance a budget, manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, do simple home maintenance tasks, clean and maintain their living space, and practice good hygiene. They aren’t glamorous skills, but they are incredibly practical.

Every youth deserves the support needed to find success in life. That support can come in the form of emotional and mental support or teaching them about the resources they can use to build a successful life. Fostered youth may need more help and support than youth raised by their parents since they often come from incredibly challenging situations. As a foster parent, you can’t do everything for them, no matter how much you want to. Just do your best to give them appropriate support that puts them on a path to success in life.

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