Parenting Toolbox Provides Answers for Your Family Today

Forget how to access your membership?

Celebrating 9 years of service to parents online!
newsletters>>
1.0 parentingWORKS
3.0 clinicalTOOLS
4.0 reports...

RECOMMENDED PARENTING TOOL:

Get Family Trivia and More in our Parenting FUN Toolbox

CLICK HERE!


"ParentWORKS Newsletter"


Did You Know: 

Growth spurts can start as early as 10 days after your baby’s birth.  Growth spurts usually are preceded by a sleepy, lethargic day and a big jump in appetite.  Growth spurts may happen again at 3, 6, and 12 weeks and again at 4 and 6 months.  If you begin to notice that your child is not as satisfied with the amount that you have been feeding her previously, then she may be beginning a growth spurt period.  If you are breastfeeding, you may want to add a feeding or two to satiate your baby’s appetite and to help increase milk production.

Power Tools : Nontraditional Families

Foster Parenting Interview: Barbara Leiner (FosterParents.com)
by Ron Huxley, LMFT

Ron: "Barbara probably doesn't know this but she is the first person I ever contacted and discussed parenting issues with online. About
a year and a half ago I got online but my computer back then was an old IBM PS1 and couldn't view graphics. So I signed up with
Delphi who offered a complete text-based Internet and somehow I found Barbara's discussion list and joined. The rest is history.

So it is with great pleasure to be the first interview for the Parenting Toolbox Community Newsletter series on nontraditional families. I'll let her tell you a little more about herself:"

I am Barbara Leiner, wife of 33 years to a recently retired high school Dean and Athletic Director, mother of three biological adult children and
grandmother to three beautiful granddaughters. For the past seventeen years, I have been a foster parent to almost 300 abused and neglected children. The children who have come into my home have ranged in age from newborn to 17 years.

I currently host the Foster Parent Community website and Foster Care Network chat room. Both may be found at www.fosterparents.com. We have
very interesting guest speakers and all parents are invited to join our chat room.

We have recently added a youth chat room for youths living in nontraditional families to share their feelings and lend support to one another at www.fosterparents.com/youthchat.html.

Q: What area of nontraditional families do you work with the most?

A: As a foster parent, my experiences have been varied. I work mostly with the children, sometimes with the biological families, and, of course,
many, many social workers. Though I have dealt with all ages of children, I find infants and toddlers most rewarding and fun. I specialize in
caring for infants prenatally exposed to drugs and/or alcohol. Many of the infants/children I have cared for will be or have been diagnosed with
one or more of the following: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effects, Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, ADHD/ADD, Mental Retardation, Bipolar, Seizure Disorders, etc. Early intervention is paramount.

My husband and I also present a workshop to educators and foster parents on the effects of being prenatally exposed to drugs and alcohol.

Q: What is the biggest challenge for nontraditional families that you work with?

A: Dealing with the behaviors that are a direct result of a tumultuous life for a child can be extremely disruptive and challenging. Our children
may have mental disorders, can be fire starters, juvenile molesters, runaways, depressed, suicidal, etc. Obtaining appropriate psychological
services is quite a feat. Getting social services to recognize these behaviors can be a topic for discussion all of it's own. Working
together as a team with social services and the biological family (when involved) is pivotal.

Q: What can nontraditional families expect in the future?

A: More recently, I have seen laws invoked that tend to protect the 'best interest of the child' theory. The Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997
(ASFA) being one. I also see a swing towards giving foster parents more of a role in deciding a child's future.

I don't know what the future will hold but I hope it will continue in the direction it has been heading (maybe move a little faster). I believe
with public awareness and sensitivity to the plight of children in nontraditional families, there will be improvements that will help meet the needs of these families.

Q: What advice would you give to parents in nontraditional families?

A: The best advice I can give foster families is to be good role models for your children and to seek training. The more knowledge we have, the
better equipped we will be to keep harmony between the child's behaviors, working with the system and biological families. Network with other people with common goals. Foster parent associations and the Internet are great for
receiving information and support.

Q: What advice would you give to children in nontraditional families?

A: The advice I would give to children would be to be patient and give the nontraditional caregiver an opportunity to get to know you. Be honest,
kind, fair and express your feelings rather than exhibit inappropriate behaviors. Set small goals and work toward them. Network with others in
similar situations.

Q: What three wishes (assuming they could come true) would for wish for nontraditional families?

A: Succinctly, I wish for an end to child abuse and neglect. 

Well said! I too wish for an end to child abuse and neglect. With more foster
parents like Barbara and her husband, it just might be possible. Go take a look at her website and join her foster parent forum. I did and I
have never even been a foster parent although I work with them. You might decide that's the calling for you as well.

Earn 75% When You Become a Parenting Toolbox Affiliate!

We are one of ClickBanks Top Affiliate Products for Parents

Copyright 2008 Ron Huxley | Privacy Rights | Contact Us