Foster parents have probably been asked some tough questions by children in their care such as “Why can’t I go home?” or “Where are my mommy and daddy?” It’s not a matter of if these questions will come up, it’s when. Florida social worker Paul C. Milford has the following advice for foster parents in his blog from Psych Central.

• Be proactive and initiate a conversation about the situation with the child. Don’t wait for the child to ask these questions.
• Allow the child to talk freely about their thoughts and feelings. Foster parents can gain insight into what the child already knows and use that information to guide the conversation.
• Be understanding if the child isn’t ready to talk about it. Let them know you are there for them when they are ready.
• Allow the child space to talk about the situation on their own terms in order to build trust.
• Listen intently and pay attention to the child’s feelings.
• Tell the child the truth in a way that is understandable and tolerable for their age.
• Most importantly, assure the child that this situation is not their fault.

Click here to read the entire article on Psych Central.