Caring for Foster Children during COVID-19

By Catherine Norwood, LMHC

We have an opportunity during this strange time to paint a new picture of what coping with stress looks like for children in foster care who are often the victims of trauma, abuse, and neglect.

You have an opportunity to re-write the story for foster children.

Caring for foster children is not easy. While coping with the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for everyone, foster parents are facing an even bigger challenge. That said, with challenge comes opportunity.

We have an opportunity during this strange time to paint a new picture of what coping with stress looks like for children in foster care who are often the victims of trauma, abuse, and neglect. We can show these children that families can come together an support one another in times of need.

Tools to Help

In the video below, I share a few tools parents can use in caring for foster children. As a former foster child myself and a licensed foster parent, I know firsthand the work foster parents do is incredibly important, but also very difficult.

To all foster parents, thank you. I offer the following quote from the forever wise Mr. Rogers, “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem. Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”

Looking for more ways to help your children? Check out “Helping Young Kids Cope with COVID-19” by my colleague, Jessica Pladsen, MA, LMFT.

Please note, the information in the article above and throughout this website is not a replacement for personal medical advice. If you or a loved one is in need of mental health services, please contact us to request an appointment or reach out to your healthcare provider.

Catherine Norwood, LMHC
Catherine Norwood, LMHC
Catherine is a therapist, licensed foster parent, and a former foster child herself. She hopes each of the individuals she serves will be able to find meaning within themselves and in relationships with others.
Catherine Norwood, LMHC
Catherine Norwood, LMHC
Catherine is a therapist, licensed foster parent, and a former foster child herself. She hopes each of the individuals she serves will be able to find meaning within themselves and in relationships with others.

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