What supports are available for helping foster parents manage the challenging behaviors that often arise with foster children and children who have experienced trauma? Have you ever had a child in your care you just weren’t sure how to help?

In the United States there are over 420,00 children in foster care. These children have experienced severe stress and trauma in their lives. Statistically these children’s life outcomes include early pregnancy, homelessness and placement in special education. Parenting foster children does not come without its challenges.

Listen in as Amy Speidel shares her story of parenting both foster children and her own biological children with Conscious Discipline and the generational outcomes each have experienced.

Essential Takeaways

• No matter the challenges, extend energy and non-verbal messages that communicate the child is worthy and loved.

• Model taking responsibility for your own upset to create a space for children to do the same and establish yourself as a trustworthy adult.

Steps for Tomorrow

• Build strong safety before trying to connect with foster children; speak a lot of safety language.

• Create connections and rituals that begin to build a sense of value and belonging.

• Help foster children with their story rather than ignore it because it’s difficult or painful.

Important Links:

• What is Conscious Discipline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j3gF1dh_t4

• Wishing Well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8L8MMrRkGQ&index=14&list=PLC1FF90B6D998E9EE

• Parenting Answers with Amy Speidel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwhBPqxwcu8qZlXXEbOVgYxzuPXgZfFt1

• Foster Care Statistics in the United States: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/faq/foster-care4

Product Mentions:

• There’s Got to Be A Better Way: Discipline That Works (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/products/theres-got-to-be-a-better-way-discipline-that-works)

• The NEW Conscious Discipline Book- Expanded and Updated (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/collections/conscious-discipline-core/products/the-new-conscious-discipline-book-expanded-updated)

• Wish Well Board (https://shop.consciousdiscipline.com/collections/school-family/products/wish-well-board)

Show Outline

3:00 What is Conscious Discipline?

4:52 Children in Foster Care statistics

6:22 Introduction of Amy Speidel, Parent Coach and Foster Parent

7:10 Amy’s story of becoming a Foster Adoptive Parent

10:17 Behaviors exhibited with Amy’s foster children and what help was provided

13:15 Information that was provided regarding Ron’s foster story

15:17 Were strategies provided for how to connect with these children?

17:30 What impact did Conscious Discipline have on parenting your biological child?

22:08 Impact of Conscious Discipline on parenting your foster children

26:01 What generational effects do you see with your grandchildren?

28:50 Losing composure story with grandson Sean story

32:15 Advice for teachers who receive foster children as students into their classrooms

35:24 Wishing well

36:10 Helping foster children with their story

39:11 Final words of encouragement for those who work with foster children

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

There are many ways you could have spent this time today, but you chose to spend it with me and I am grateful. If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it with others via your favorite social media platforms.

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On behalf of our Conscious Discipline family, we wish you well.