Some kids arrive scared, angry, or just plain tired. You can’t fix that with a pep talk. You fix it by staying steady when they push your buttons, which they will. It’s not personal; it’s survival.
One veteran foster dad told me his “secret weapon” was the slow cooker. He’d put dinner on in the morning, so by the evening, the house smelled like home. No stress, no drama, just food and safety.
You’ll have days where your patience runs on fumes. That’s okay. Take a breath, step outside for ten seconds, and remember you’re the anchor in their stormy sea.
