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

By: Laura the Foster Parent Partner

Published by Sourcebooks, Incorporated, 2026-05-12

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.