Essay Contest Winners

Our Essay Question Was:

What advice would you give a kid who was entering foster care for the first time and was nervous and scared about what was going to happen?

The advice I would give to someone who is becoming a foster child, is not to blame yourself, it is not your fault. It is ok to be scared because you are going into a new place, you will have very different feelings, and being nervous is alright too. But the main thing you have to do is try to get the good out of all of it. Think, what could I do to make this easier? Or how could I be a good kid? Then you need to think about the people who are taking you in. This could be a whole new experience for them as well, they might not know what to do all the time, but also remember that they must really want to become a part of your life, and love you, and watch you grow
up, to have them take you into your home. At first you may not know what to do, so ask them for help. They will listen to you, because you are someone special. And you will get through the hard times, and the happy times together, because they are there with you.

Since I'm in a Foster Home, and I also would know how he/she feels, I would give them my utmost respect. I would try to be his friend also. This helps them relax around me and listen better. I would tell them about my foster dad and how much of a great guy he is. Then tell him about my foster mother, and how much she loves Michael Jordon. Then I would show him around the house explaining what to do and what not to do. I wouldn't want to bring up why they are here, because it might be a hard situation for him/her and that might make them feel down so I would stick to games, TV, and other entertainment. I would also share my likes and dislikes hoping he/she might be interested. I would do this for awhile until they are completely comfortable. I use this same formula for all the new kids at my home.

The advice I would give them would be that your in very good hands and that they will take really good care of you. It's okay to be nervous and scared. And you don't have to worry about what is going to happen. Just be you and be very nice to the people your with. And your foster parents will worry about what will happen and same with the caseworker. I've been throught the same thing and it scared me, but you don't have to worry. There's nothing to worry about so just try not to be too scared or nervous just let them do what they need to do.

If I could sit down and talk to a child that is being placed into foster care, I would ask them how they feel about what is going on. I would listen to them and then I would let them know that I understand what they are going through, because I have been taken out of my home too. They need to know no matter how bad things seem to be, God will take care of you, you should keep your faith up, and trust in God. Don't let your standards down for anybody, no matter how nice they seem. Your best friend can hurt you, mine did. I know it is hard, but in the long run it will be worth it. I let my standarts down for my best friend and she stabbed me in the back. She was supposed to be my best friend and like a sister to me. That really hurt to know that the trust that I put in her was gone and all the things that I told her were out. She ran and told everything. I was wrong about that person that I trusted so well she did nothing but lie to me, she was not my best friend. I learned the hard way and I don't want to see you go through what I did. Please remember what I told you, don't let your standards down, keep your head held high, and keep your faith. I have been in a home for 5 years and I make it, you can too.