First-Time Fostering - by Laura the Foster Parent Partner (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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 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

"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

"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

"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

"First-Time Fostering fills a gap foster parents have felt for years. Laura's trauma-informed, inclusive guidance captures the realities, challenges, and hope of foster parenting while offering tools that truly make a difference. If you're thinking about fostering, are in the process of getting licensed, or are currently fostering and looking for support and encouragement, this book is for you." -- Brittany Collins, former foster parent, former court-appointed special advocate (CASA), and content creator

"First-Time Fostering is one of the most genuinely useful, inclusive, and honest books I've read on caring for children in foster care, grounded in 'trauma-conscious' practice that is respectful of children, parents, and those stepping in. You can read it cover to cover or jump straight to the chapter that meets you where you are in the journey, and the guidance still lands, offering the practical, nuanced details that foster parent training simply doesn't touch. The scripts for difficult conversations, paired with thoughtful resources, examples, and scenarios, feel like the kind of support you'd only get from a seasoned mentor and make this essential reading for anyone stepping into fostering. This is the book I would hand to anyone considering fostering, and frankly, to every current foster parent as well." -- Ali Caliendo, executive director of Foster Kinship

"Laura leaves no stone unturned, revealing both the joy and strain of opening your home and heart to a young person in foster care. The book is approachable and full of wisdom and insights. It's like having a very knowledgeable best friend on speed dial. I wish I had this book before I began fostering." -- Mark Daley, social activist, entrepreneur, foster-turned-adoptive father, and author of Safe

"This book is an essential guide for new and potential foster parents! Laura the Foster Parent Partner paints a realistic picture of the foster parenting experience using carefully curated scenarios. Her direct and compassionate tone encourages readers to embrace this complex and meaningful role, especially during a time of intense rupture in a child's life. Learn how to use practical tools and self-awareness to navigate the unknowns with a sense of agency." -- Lauren Stauble, foster mama and best-selling author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions

"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

"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

About the Author

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.