Been approved, just had our first phone call, how to prepare

[bloodywhitecat]

I know this stuff I really do but boy have nerves kicked in now.

We were approved back in March, I worked my notice at work and we are now ready to foster. We have just had our first phone call to ask if we are able to take a pre-school aged child. I think we are ready. The house is ready, I have potentially cancelled plans for this weekend but I am so nervous now. Is this normal? I have waited years to be able to foster and now I am terrified but excited by what the future holds.

Any tips for settling in would be greatly appreciated.

[f0stercarer]

Relax. You will be fine.Good luck.

[Cassimin]

It sounds like you’ve done everything you need to do, prepare yourself now for some sleepless nights with a little one!
You’ll probably have lots of meetings with various professionals over the next few weeks.
Try and take notes and get all names and contact numbers.
Also don’t want to put a downer on your mood but be aware that not every phone call leads to an actual placement. Sometimes courts change the plan for many reasons and child’s placement is changed.
Hopefully this won’t be the case and your little one will be with you soon, then the work begins!
Good luck.

[bloodywhitecat]

Thank you both.

[Nogodsnomasters]

Do you have any biological children? If you've never cared for a child 24/7 I can see how it would be so daunting to go from no kids to a pre-school aged child overnight. I have a biological pre-school aged child myself and they can for the most part be easily distracted through play so I would recommend a lot of play time to start off with (both of you down on the floor together). Make a routine and stick to it particularly with bedtime and meal times etc as this helps children feel settled knowing what to expect throughout the day. Best of luck xk