First-Time Fostering: A Practical Guide for Supporting Kids in Foster Care

Review Quotes:
" First-Time Fostering is the practical, compassionate guide new foster parents have been longing for. Laura anticipates the questions, fears, and complexities of fostering and responds with trauma-conscious, evidence-based insights and tools that are both respectful and deeply attuned to children's needs. This book is clear, direct, and genuinely useful for anyone stepping into this vital role." -- Bryana Kappadakunnel, LMFT, Author of Parent Yourself First

Review Quotes:
"Laura's thoughtful considerations and questions for new foster parents honestly brought me to tears. Her reminders to consider the child's perspective show real intentionality. This book gives me hope that kids in foster care will have a better experience than I did. I wish my foster parent had understood trauma-informed, intentional parenting like this." -- Tina Bauer, former foster youth, educator and advocate

Review Quotes:
"This book balances empathy with actionable insight, providing the understanding and encouragement that make all the difference in navigating the foster care experience. I wish every new foster parent had this on day one. It offers clear guidance, compassion, and practical tools that every new foster parent deserves. It's a resource that will help families feel seen, supported, and more prepared as they navigate the foster care experience." -- Kristen Gingrich, LCSW, CADC, CCS

Review Quotes:
"By creating this comprehensive, practical guide to foster parenting, Laura has provided an invaluable service for caregivers supporting young people in the child welfare system. Every chapter resonated with my own experience as a foster parent. I highly encourage anyone thinking about fostering to read this book!" -- Matt Strieker, CEO, United Friends of the Children

Review Quotes:
"Laura's heart, experience, and insight shine through in this guide--every page offers real-world tools and compassion for foster parents navigating the ups, downs, and in-between. This is an essential read for anyone stepping into fostering and committed to making a lasting positive difference in a child's life." -- Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases; former foster youth and father of five children adopted from the foster care system

Review Quotes:
"With compassionate storytelling, easy-to-understand instruction, and relevant real-world examples, First-Time Fostering is a must-read for all foster parents, first-time or otherwise! In First-Time Fostering, Laura provides a framework for foster parents to support both themselves and the children in their care, using a trauma-conscious approach to address challenges with feeding, sleeping, bathroom needs, and more. From sample scripts to planning checklists, this is more than a guidebook--it's actionable support for the parents who need it most." -- Mallory Whitmore, M.Ed., Founder of The Formula Mom and author, Bottle Service

Biographical Note:

Laura is a content creator and mentor who draws from her experiences as a therapeutic foster parent, as well as shared stories and feedback from the community she's built. She supports and empowers new foster parents through getting licensed and fostering for the first time. With practical tips, trauma-conscious considerations, and relatable stories, Laura helps others approach the complexities of foster care. Her mission is to raise awareness, advocate for children in care, and inspire foster parents to feel confident and prepared in their journey.

The must-read resource for foster parents, resource parents, care providers, foster carers, guardians, and social service professionals!

Real Help for Real Moments in Foster Care

When you don't know what to do, this book is here to help. Parenting a child in foster care comes with unique challenges that most parenting books don't cover. Between trauma responses, court dates, system constraints, and well-meaning advice that just doesn't apply, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and alone. First-Time Fostering offers practical, in-the-moment guidance so foster parents and kinship caregivers can navigate hard moments with compassion and confidence.

Foster parents and caregivers will find:

• Concrete scripts and strategies to use in the moment
• Realistic advice for working with caseworkers and birth families
• Trauma-informed tips that respect the child's identity and experience
• Hard-earned insights from foster parents and educators who have been through it all

This book is one foster parents will keep reaching for. It's actionable, honest, and built to help you respond--not react--when things get tough. If you're ready to feel more prepared, supported, and effective, this is where to start.

Review Citations:

• Booklist 04/01/2026 (EAN 9781464270345, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:Laura the Foster Parent Partner

Laura is a content creator and mentor who draws from her experiences as a therapeutic foster parent, as well as shared stories and feedback from the community she's built. She supports and empowers new foster parents through getting licensed and fostering for the first time. With practical tips, trauma-conscious considerations, and relatable stories, Laura helps others approach the complexities of foster care. Her mission is to raise awareness, advocate for children in care, and inspire foster parents to feel confident and prepared in their journey.