Blog Highlights:
- The rewarding journey of fostering teens.
- Navigating possible trauma-response from teens in foster care.
- Fostering teens is often more about working towards self-sufficiency and providing age-appropriate support as they increase independence.
Fostering a teenager may look very different from what you expect, and it can also be an incredibly rewarding experience. Teens in foster care are one of our community’s most underserved populations. However, with the right support, both teens in foster care and their foster parent(s) can thrive.
Why Fostering a Teenager is Different (and Rewarding)
Fostering a teenager can look very different from fostering a younger child. For one thing, there are no diapers! Furthermore, there are several important advantages to fostering teens.
- They’re in school during the day, which means no need to arrange for childcare in order to attend work or take care of those essential daytime responsibilities
- They can engage in more mature conversation, which can make it easier for trusted adults to communicate
- They are seeking independence, so there is a foundation to help support and motivate them to develop critical adulting skills
The relationship you have with a teen in foster care strives to be one based on mutual respect and effort, which can mean a highly rewarding experience for both of you.
Common Misconceptions About Teens in Foster Care
There are a lot of potential misconceptions that can arise about teens in foster care–and many of them stop potential foster parents from taking that next step.
Misconception #1: Teens are more challenging
This age group is experiencing an essential developmental age that involves both physical and mental changes. When they do exhibit negative behaviors, they are often trauma responses, not inherent character flaws. Treat challenges as learning experiences and divert their energy towards enriching activities like sports or hobbies.
Misconception #2: Teens are used to the system, so transitions are easier for them
Unstable transitions, regardless of age, are difficult for anybody. Though there might not be any outward clues from the teen, a trauma-informed and stable environment is mandatory to assist in their healthy development.
Misconception #3: Teens don’t need as much nurturing
Teens need guidance and stability in order to make a successful transition to adulthood, and foster parents are often ideally placed to support teens as they move through those last years before adulthood.
What to Expect: Independence and Mentorship
When you’re working with teens in foster care, the role of the foster parent often shifts from “caretaker” to “mentor”, you’re in a position of teaching essential life skills: driving, cooking, budgeting, and more. At Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation, our programs focus on supporting these vital life lessons and ensuring that teens in care are prepared for adulthood.
Navigating Trauma and Trust with Teens
Many teens in foster care are dealing with trauma and trust issues. Teens may be guarded or distrustful due to past disappointments, which can make it difficult to bond and connect. However, with patience and time, many foster parents discover that they can successfully build those relationships and connect deeply with the teens in their care.
How AFFCF Supports Teens and Caregivers
At AFFCF, we provide support for teens in care and their caregivers through a variety of programs. Our “Keys to Success” program, for example, empowers participants to make informed decisions about their future and build competencies that establish a foundation for career and life achievement. We also offer financial literacy support that can be vital in helping teens learn to manage their finances when they age out of foster care. We also provide funding for extracurriculars like sports and prom that help teens have typical teen experiences and feel supported. If you want to make a difference for children and teens in foster care, donate to AFFCF today.
Image credit: Pressmaster/Shutterstock