How will my lifestyle change if I become a foster parent?

1. Do I have the time and energy to care for a foster child?
2. Will I be willing to spend time at home more, and socialize less?
3. Can I afford my own expenses, knowing that compensation for having a foster child will be only enough for the child's needs?
4. Am I willing and able to take a child to counseling sessions, doctor's appointments, court hearings, and other regular appointments and participate in them when necessary?
   

How can I benefit from being a foster parent?

1. Do I like doing things with children? Do I like activities that children could do also?
2. How will I view a child's different values and ideas? Will I get the child to be more like I want them to be?
3. Why do I really want to take a foster child into my home?
   

What do I know about raising a child?

1. How do I deal with my own frustration and anger?
2. How do I handle other people's anger and frustration?
3. Is it easy for me to show affection?
4. What is discipline to me? Am I open to new ideas?
5. What will I do if a child doesn't cooperate with me, or refuses to follow my rules?
6. Can I keep the information that I learn about a child confidential?
   

How does my family feel about being a foster family?

1. Have I asked my partner if he/she wants to share his/her life with a foster child?
2. Are we secure and stable enough in our relationship to add a foster child to our family? Will this cause undue stress?
3. How will my children accept another child into their lives? Do they want to share their rooms, toys, friends, and parents with another child?
4. How will I feel about a child being removed from my home?
   

Birth parents

1. How do I feel about the child's birth parents and the problems they may have?
2. Am I able to understand that a child still loves his/her parents and that I should not interfere with this relationship?
3. How will I feel about working toward reunifying the child and his/her parents?
   

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