Sibling Sets

Mrs.Umm

For those who foster, what kinds of things influence your decision to take siblings and how many?

We have two 'spare' bedrooms, one with it's own bathroom (but it's on another floor from our bedroom and the other spare). So, we certainly have room, I'm honestly just concerned about having a child's bedroom on a differnt floor than ours. What if they need us in the night and we don't hear? What if they fall down the stairs? I'm sure most of this is totally illogical, but what are some factors that influenced your decision?

MayDayGirl

I don't see the bedrooms on different floors being a problem. You can use a baby monitor or have the kids sleep together. If they are siblings they most likely already do sleep together. Often times the kids we get all sleep in one room, on one mattress or whatnot. Sometimes even in a car.  If you can have siblings and are willing, i wouldn't let the bedrooms stand in your way.

Temp206787500007404

Baby monitor so you can hear them.

Gate at the top of the stairs so they can't fall down them.

come*on*baby

what everyone else said. baby monitor and gates.

edit:: i read and replied to your post way too fast earlier!

 

Siblings can share a room, and foster children of the same gender, within 5 years in age can share a room as well, unless there are some predetermined factors in of the cases (ie sexual abuse and sexually acting out). (Also, not sure where you are located so the age/room sharing rules can vary) Prior to our sibling set of 3 moving, we had the 2 oldest in 1 room, the youngest girl and DS1 in the other room (they are 5 months apart in age).

maddieg78

We were kinda... ummm... blindsided by a sibling set.  We initially took Baby Boy as an emergency respite placement from his former foster home for a 2 week period.  Then we were told he would be with us permanently, but he had two older sisters that they wanted to reunite with him (they were placed seperately because the girls were already in care when he was born).  So we took the girls (ages 2 & 4 at the time) for a weekend, and realized they NEEDED to be together.  So the next weekend the girls moved in officially (that was the last weekend in August 2010) and have been with us since.

For us the concerns were more about going from ZERO to THREE!  How would daycare work? How do we transport three kids?  Do we have enough car/booster seats?  Do they even need booster seats?!?  AHHH!!

 But it really has worked out for the best... the children are doing soo well, we hear it daily from our CW and their therapist!  Having a sibling to go through this with you... has to make the whole thing all that much easier!

 Btw, I have a baby monitor hidden under one of the girl's bed.  It works WONDERS!  So if having them on a seperate floor is a concern, use the baby monitor and a gate.  Tell them that you have special powers and know when they need you.. that they just have to say your name and you will come.

 Good Luck!