National Adoption Month: Top 5 Lessons for Foster or Adoptive Parents

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Nov 08, 2023, 11:43 ET

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rebeca and her husband, Lee, fostered and adopted two children through Wayfinder Family Services. These are their tips for current and prospective foster or adoptive parents:

In honor of National Adoption Month, Rebeca and Lee want to share what they learned on their foster and adoption journey with other families.

If you are fostering or adopting siblings, see them as individuals instead of as a set. Get to know what each of them needs.
Follow former foster youth and adoptees on social media to understand their experience, what helped them and what did not. Follow social media accounts of foster families who prioritize reunification as the goal.
Be respectful of the children's biological parents. We don't know the parents' stories or how they grew up. Generational trauma is very hard to get over.
In a relationship between adults, you don't say "I love you" the day after you meet someone. To expect children to call you "mom" or "dad" before they are ready is disrespectful to the kids. It should be their choice.
Work with a reputable organization like Wayfinder Family Services. We get emotional about our Wayfinder case workers. It's incredible the work they do for the kids and families. It's beyond expectations. It's been absolutely an amazing experience."

Read more about Rebeca and Lee's journey.

About Wayfinder Family Services

Wayfinder Family Services is the place to turn for people facing the greatest challenges. The organization provides expert, individualized support and services to children, youth, adults and families—from people with vision loss and developmental disabilities to children in need of temporary shelter, foster care and adoption.

SOURCE Wayfinder Family Services