First-Time Fostering

""First-Time Fostering fills a gap foster parents have felt for years. Laura's trauma-informed, inclusive guidance captures the realities, challenges, and hope of foster parenting while offering tools that truly make a difference. If you're thinking about fostering, are in the process of getting licensed, or are currently fostering and looking for support and encouragement, this book is for you."" -- Brittany Collins, former foster parent, former court-appointed special advocate (CASA), and content creator ""First-Time Fostering is one of the most genuinely useful, inclusive, and honest books I've read on caring for children in foster care, grounded in 'trauma-conscious' practice that is respectful of children, parents, and those stepping in. You can read it cover to cover or jump straight to the chapter that meets you where you are in the journey, and the guidance still lands, offering the practical, nuanced details that foster parent training simply doesn't touch. The scripts for difficult conversations, paired with thoughtful resources, examples, and scenarios, feel like the kind of support you'd only get from a seasoned mentor and make this essential reading for anyone stepping into fostering. This is the book I would hand to anyone considering fostering, and frankly, to every current foster parent as well."" -- Ali Caliendo, executive director of Foster Kinship ""Laura leaves no stone unturned, revealing both the joy and strain of opening your home and heart to a young person in foster care. The book is approachable and full of wisdom and insights. It's like having a very knowledgeable best friend on speed dial. I wish I had this book before I began fostering."" -- Mark Daley, social activist, entrepreneur, foster-turned-adoptive father, and author of Safe ""This book is an essential guide for new and potential foster parents! Laura the Foster Parent Partner paints a realistic picture of the foster parenting experience using carefully curated scenarios. Her direct and compassionate tone encourages readers to embrace this complex and meaningful role, especially during a time of intense rupture in a child's life. Learn how to use practical tools and self-awareness to navigate the unknowns with a sense of agency."" -- Lauren Stauble, foster mama and best-selling author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions ""Laura's heart, experience, and insight shine through in this guide--every page offers real-world tools and compassion for foster parents navigating the ups, downs, and in-between. This is an essential read for anyone stepping into fostering and committed to making a lasting positive difference in a child's life."" -- Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases; former foster youth and father of five children adopted from the foster care system ""With compassionate storytelling, easy-to-understand instruction, and relevant real-world examples, First-Time Fostering is a must-read for all foster parents, first-time or otherwise! In First-Time Fostering, Laura provides a framework for foster parents to support both themselves and the children in their care, using a trauma-conscious approach to address challenges with feeding, sleeping, bathroom needs, and more. From sample scripts to planning checklists, this is more than a guidebook--it's actionable support for the parents who need it most."" -- Mallory Whitmore, M.Ed., Founder of The Formula Mom and author, Bottle Service