Taking in a foster child is hard work. You need to be aware this child is not the clean slate you get when you have your own child. It is important to remember they are in the foster care system for a reason, and you may not know the full story.

You have missed the part where you get to read parenting books and can ask the doctor “what’s wrong!?” It is important to understand this child comes with experiences, a history and memories that may not always be the best.

Being able to support the foster child in a steady home environment both emotionally and financially is something you are sure you can handle. There are so many children in the system who need loving homes, but there may be people more equipped than you are to take these responsibilities on.

I have absolutely no experience raising a foster child, but I do have experience tutoring them. I have worked with high schoolers with a third grade reading level. Kids who have never seen hard work in their life. Being unable to comprehend what it really is, they become frustrated because they don’t understand material immediately and give up thinking they’re probably just too stupid.

How do you work with a child who just doesn’t want to learn? Their attitude is usually, “You don’t know me. Don’t tell me what to do.” And you may not know them— but it doesn’t mean you don’t want to help.

You may also have a foster child who has seen and understand what a good education can do for them, because they don’t want to return to a certain way of life.

You can give them your love. You can give them your experience. Understand that your experiences are not like theirs, but love is universal. A professional tutor can give your child the one-on-one attention they may not receive in their new school and their new way of life. In fact, this professional can give your child the one-on-one attention they have never had before, just like you can. Additional support for your child’s education is important. It is the key to digging one self out of a dead end, and this child deserves that.