See inside my Foster Care Bedroom: How I support and what's required for licensing

Today I'm showing another room from my full foster home walk through :)

I show how we have things set up and what our agency required from us. We also went above and beyond the basic standards to support the kids we care for!

This is the bedroom. In this you'll see:
- Snack station
- Beds / bedding
- Personalizing the space
- Lighting
- Closets
- Calm down spaces
- Welcome kit + other misc tips :)

What do you have in your room that's different from mine? Let me know in the comments!

#fosterparent #fostercare #fosterparenting

[ryanmackenzie]

I've BEEN the foster kid, and not always in amazing situations. This is as close to a perfect house as I could imagine being in, at least for my needs when i was a kid. I love your care and attention to detail. Thank you for everything you do. I promise, your foster kids will remember you, and your love will follow them.

[Leo-jwu]

I'm not a foster parent, but I am currently raising my little cousins due to a personal situation and it's been really hard for all of us, them especially, your videos have helped me so much throughout this situation and I wish I could thank you in person for all of the support you do for others and how much work you do to help everyone. If it's the children you foster, to the people watching your videos, you have no clue how much you've helped me and probably hundreds of others. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Blisscent]

Your videos are basically my pathway to fostering. I’m not in a position to do it yet, but when I am I know how to make the kids feel safe, welcome, and understood thanks to you.

[lmao]

I had really abusive upbringing, especially around food, with my mom having a really bad eating disorder she pushed on all of us. It ended up making me hoard food, especially because she would “ground” me from eating. I dunno, it just feels really… healing, to know that there are people who think about that and keep it in mind for kids who grew up in that. Thanks for this.

[therealdori]

I’m only 14 and I watch your videos because I want to be a foster mom when I grow up! So thank you for the videos!!

[madelyn]

Double-layering the bed sheets is genius!

[dianaponcar]

I am a foster parent recruiter and I am totally going to save this as a resource! Lots of them have questions about getting set up to take their first placement, and this covers sooo much ❤ thank you!

[Capybara-ol]

One thing you might look at doing, Laura, is keeping a bin (or a closet) elsewhere in the home stocked with 2 or 3 unisex outfits in varying sizes for the age groups you generally take. Then, if you have a child who arrives with only their one set of clothes you can give them the OPTION of changing clothes if they would like, if you haven't had a chance to run to the store. It's also useful to keep extra socks and underwear on hand regardless. You would be surprised at the number of kids who don't have them.

[hayleywright]

I’m not likely to foster, as I work full time and have some physical disabilities that would likely rule me out, but I find your videos really encouraging to watch. Mostly cause so much of the world can seem like a terrible place, but knowing there are people who care, who think about these little people who have nowhere to call home. Your kids, however long they are with you, are granted such a safe space. Somewhere they can relax for a while.

[kapsican]

Laura, you really are a gem. The kids staying in your care are really lucky to have you. Thank you for all that you do

[SusieB-]

I love the double-making the bed hack! I've never heard of that-- it's brilliant for any kid who either isn't quite potty trained yet, or is going through a stage where they're having accidents!

[Hotmess]

I currently have my nieces probably permanently, I couldn’t believe the extent of the abuse and abuse around food!! . YOU have helped me so much with your videos you have no idea! Please keep posting this amazing content. ❤your truly amazing

[atlanticjem]

As an adult with autism, I especially love that you let the kids pick their own sheets. I'm extremely picky about bedding. I never thought of using a stretchy sheet that way before, though. I don't necessarily think it would work for me. But I work with kids on the spectrum and that's a great suggestion for the parents when looking for ideas to help their kids sleep in their own beds!

[Maritqqq]

I love the effort and care you put in your videos. They really help a lot. Also love all the nice details in the room, so well thought!!

[dragonofspades]

Thank you for subtitles!! I really struggle with hearing, but videos like this are so so important to me (my boyfriend, in the far future when we financially are able ofc, wanna foster or adopt, whichevee we find is better for us at the time). I never expect subtitles from my favorite Youtubers, but it always makes me so happy 🥹 Keeping this one for future reference ☺️

[kyleemarie.]

My 8yr old brother is in foster care, until earlier this year he was in a different state, you're videos give me some piece of mind knowing he's not with me so thank you for all you videos :) (he moved a few hours away from me now but i still cant see him)

[marianneaugenstein]

Wow! These are all great tips. I feel like the foster children who come to you must feel so welcomed and loved. God bless you!❤

[dinky]

Honestly don't know why your videos are so comforting to me. I was neglected and abused as a child, and actually had a more violence related version of depression instead of the self hatred type. Instead of sadness and nothing it was raw hatred and anger. It means a lot to me and I'm sure your foster kids to have that quiet space. I needed that alone time as a kid and would even ask for it so I wouldn't hurt another kid for not leaving me alone when I asked. I feel the other side of depression is not well talked about, and not well understood despite homicide being closely linked to depression, not sociopathy. Depression can also make children and adults violent, as well as ptsd. Not quiet and sad. Thank you for acknowledging this intentionally or not instead of shaming children for yelling and needing to have a "tantrum." Sometimes raging out releases a lot of demons and it's healthy if nothing is harmed and everyone is safe and not scared. That's why rage rooms exist after all.

[Amy-qp]

It sounds like you truly care. All people should care for their children like this.

[kitkat]

My parents were so abusive. I wish I had your care instead. I love how knowledgable you are about mental health in kids as well. I struggled alot growing up and I know you couldve helped me.