Blog

Building Relationship With Summer Fun
Date: July 12, 2021 l Author: Sophia Oropeza

Get some easy and affordable ideas for ways to deepen your relationship with your kids this summer!

Partnering Well With Biological Parents
Date: June 16, 2021 l Author: Barbara Hunter

In order to truly advocate for the best interest of each child or youth in foster care, we need to activate a healthy understanding, sense of empathy, and spiritual perspective when working with their biological caregivers.

A 4KIDS Family's Thoughts on EPIC
Date: May 19, 2021 l Author: Daniela Bolla

Heather and Kyle were therapeuitc foster parents out-of-state who have now taken in various sibling groups through 4KIDS. In a quick interview, Heather offers thoughts on EPIC Training and how it has benefitted their family.

4KIDS Family Interview: The Bernatek Family
Date: May 6, 2021 l Author: Daniela Bolla

Since opening their home three years ago, Amy and James have cared for four little ones, one of which has now been adopted! In this brief interview, Amy shares insight on their fostering experience so far.

4KIDS Family Interview: Connecting With Teens
Date: April 8, 2021 l Author: Daniela Bolla

4KIDS Foster Parents Andrew and Cassi share their experience fostering teen brothers and offer great insight on how others can deepen their connections with teenagers.

Helping Kids Self-Regulate
Date: March 17, 2021 l Author: Mariana Caro & Dr. Jennie Trocchio

Does your child get overwhelmed when he or she is in a place with loud sounds and bright lights? Does your child have a really hard time focusing? What about managing and regulating his or her own emotions? Learn more about helping our kids self-regulate.

Kids & Food Insecurities
Date: February 9, 2021 l Author: Valeria Muzzetti

At some point in their lives, it is common for kids from all different types of backgrounds to form an aversion to a specific type of food, want to eat at odd hours, overeat, under eat, try to avoid eating, hoard food, and more.

The Importance of Self-Care
Date: January 14, 2021 l Author: Betsy Godoy-Rosado

The idea of loving others is in fact dependent upon loving oneself, which we often overlook. When we push ourselves aside in the name of service to others, negative symptoms will quickly show up in every aspect of our lives, whether that’s emotionally, physically, intellectually and/or in our character.

Navigating the Holidays and Special Events
Date: December 11, 2020 l Author: Holly Fregin

The holiday season is typically filled with excitement and joy. In the midst of all the “Christmas cheer,” however, you may see unusual behaviors or increased melt downs coming from your foster and/or adoptive children. This may be hard for you as a parent to understand and respond to, especially when you are going above and beyond to create a fun, meaningful holiday for them filled with gifts, celebrations, and happy memories.

The Power of Gratitude
Date: November 5, 2020 l Author: Odelaisys Saco

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, every family can benefit from the power of practicing gratitude together.

Book Recommendations to Keep the Conversation on Race Going
Date: October 26, 2020 l Author: Daniela Bolla

TeachingBooks’ recently created an exhaustive list of children’s literature pieces that can support parents and caregivers who want to have conversations surrounding “race, racism, and resistance” with their kids. Based on this site’s recommendations, we picked out just a few that we think would be great additions to your bookshelves.

Insight for Inter-Racial Families
Date: October 16, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro & Daniela Bolla

One of the things that is often missed, specifically within inter-racial adoption, is the importance of open and honest conversations around race. We know that acknowledging racial differences can feel uncomfortable, but it is critically necessary to acknowledge the realities of your new family.

Saying Yes
Date: September 14, 2020 l Author: Holly Fregin

As parents and caregivers, more often than not we have the tendency to say "no" to our child's requests. When we find creative ways to say "yes," however, we deepen our connection and build trust with our kids.

Setting Limits
Date: August 14, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

As caregivers, it is our job to set limits in order to keep kids safe. Oftentimes, the way we set these limits, however, can lead to meltdowns and tension in our relationship with our kids. Instead of simply saying “no” to their requests, which can feel dismissive and sometimes even aggressive, try following Dr. Garry Landreth’s breakdown for limit setting.

Celebrating Uniqueness
Date: July 24, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo

To continue the discussion on the subject of racism with children and youth, we need to address the uniqueness of each individual and group, as well as the things that unify us. We must also think about the child or children with who we are having the discussion. There are a few topics to consider when we are discussing race: God’s love for us, we are all sinners, that history influences all, there is beauty and dignity in all.

How to Talk to Kids About Race
Date: July 17, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo

As parents, there are so many important conversations that we must have with children. We often call them, “The Talks.” They could be about faith, race, sex, or career choice. It is important that we prepare ourselves through prayer, wisdom, and our own or other’s experiences. We want to take children on a journey that will end with acceptance, peace, and reconciliation. In order to do that, we have to take ourselves on that journey, as well.

Self-Care for Parents
Date: July 9, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo

Parents! In order to pour out to our families, it is so important that we are filled first. When we are on an airplane, we are always advised to put our masks on first, and then help loved ones. The same thing goes for parenting.

How to Know if Therapy is Right for You
Date: July 7, 2020 l Author: Betsy Godoy-Rosado

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be “crazy” to benefit from therapy. Though therapy is not necessary for every struggle you face (especially if you have a strong support system), many people can benefit from seeing a clinical therapist at some point in their lives. Sometimes, the signs for concern are obvious. Other times, however, you may feel slightly off and unable to figure out why.

Mental Health & Kids
Date: July 2, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo

When we think of health, we often only think of the physical health of our bodies. Mental health, however, is something that cannot afford to be overlooked— especially when it comes to our kids. We all know what to look for when aiming to have a healthy body, but what does it mean to be healthy mentally and emotionally? And how does this relate to spiritual health?

How to Use Engine Plates
Date: June 19, 2020 l Author: Holly Fregin

As a parent, you may find yourself constantly overwhelmed by your child’s big emotions and meltdowns. One of the first steps in really being able to change this behavior is to help kids know what is really happening in their bodies when the tantrums arise. The “engine plate” is a great tool to teach this!

How to De-escalate Meltdowns
Date: June 5, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

One of the most common questions that I receive from families is “How do we stop the meltdowns? How do we deescalate a chaotic situation?” In order to answer that, we first have to understand what’s happening in the brain during a meltdown.

How to Use Proactive Strategies
Date: May 22, 2020 l Author: Linda Lukasik

One of the hardest things parents have to handle is their child’s meltdowns, which are really big emotions. The most important things to do during these times is to find ways to decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration of these meltdowns is with a proactive strategy.

Learn More About Fostering
Date: May 15, 2020 l Author: Daniela Bolla

Interested in learning more about different aspects of fostering? Here are a couple books and podcast recommendations made by some of our 4KIDS families for those looking to widen their understanding!

Interrupting Trauma with Positive Experiences
Date: May 1, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

We can interrupt trauma by engaging in positive childhood experiences, by connecting with them, by being able to remain present when our impulse may be to take their pain away. They are already experiencing the pain and the trauma; the question is, are they experiencing it alone or with you?

Working with Children in Times of Uncertainty
Date: April 25, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

Times of uncertainty are stressful. They can be scary, they can be sad, and even overwhelming. Children look to adults to know how to process in these times. When we help kids sit in the uncertainty and acknowledge their feelings in the midst, this helps increase their resiliency.

How to Approach Academics
Date: April 17, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

We all want our kids to be successful. Academics are part of that, but they are not everything. While challenging our kids to do their best, to push forward, to be successful is so important for their well-being, it cannot come at the cost of relationship, especially in times of stress and uncertainty.

How to Parent with Presence
Date: April 8, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

The most precious gift that we can give our children is our presence. In the midst of the busyness of life, finding time for connection can seem impossible.

Parenting in High Stress Situations
Date: April 3, 2020 l Author: Mariana Caro

Parenting under normal circumstances is difficult. It is probably the hardest thing that you will do. Then you add a high stress situation, like a family or health crisis, loss of a loved one, a scary situation at school or at work, or a natural disaster, and then parenting can feel like a day-by-day battle.

Truth and Light: Speaking to Kids about Traumatic Situations
Date: April 2, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo

We need to be frank with our kids. They already know something is wrong, we might as well come out with it. But how do we do that?

Connecting with Their Feelings
Date: March 31, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo & Mariana Caro

During times of crisis, it can be hard for children who have experienced trauma to process and express their emotions. Learn how you can connect with their feelings.

Routines
Date: March 31, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo & Roque Marino

Routines are essential as they give adults and kids a sense of normalcy. It is normal to fear the unknown. Learn how you can create healthy routines for you and your family.

Setting the Tone
Date: March 31, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo & Barbara Hunter

Take care of yourself first: It’s so important to make sure you take good care of your body, mind, and soul every day, not just when you get sick. Learn other tools and ways to set the tone for you and your family during this time.

Ask for Help
Date: March 31, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo & Odelaisys Saco

As you deal with current stressors or life events, do not dismiss or minimize feelings and thoughts that you or a loved one may be experiencing that interfere with emotional wellness and daily activities. Learn about resources that are available to you.

Triggers
Date: March 31, 2020 l Author: Terri Galindo & Ariana Vizzotto

We know the children we serve come from hard places and trauma is present in their lives. The truth is we live in a broken and fallen world and trauma, is part of every one of our lives, even us as caregivers. We all have triggers.