A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children [Hardcover]

Susan McNair Blatt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 089789653X | ISBN-13: 978-0897896535 | Publication Date: February 28, 2000

Foster parents need wisdom to guide foster children to enable them to have a meaningful experience. This book, written by a pediatrician, with the help of foster parents, provides guidance and suggestions to maximize the experience for foster families and assist them in the process. With the help of many foster parents, this book contains practical suggestions for those who care for foster children. It addresses many of the major and minor problems that may arise. This book contains easily understood discussions of those problems with practical suggestions for resolving them, including when to call in a professional. Although various trends in child welfare are discussed, it is important to note that this book does not aim at criticizing the system, but rather attempts to address the needs of the children going through the system. This book is intended as a resource for anyone involved with the foster care system and particularly families raising foster children.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Dr. Susan Blatt's book, Guide for Raising Foster Children, represents a very comprehensive guide for the care of foster children. The book is readable and suggestions provided are practical and easy to follow. This book is a valuable resource for foster parents.”–Joanne M. Joseph Associate Professor of Psychology SUNY Institute of Technology Author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World

“All parents have questions and Dr. Blatt's book has answers. A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children has helpful information about health, behavior, school, and many other aspects of a foster child's life. A copy of this book would be a benefit to every foster home.”–Karen Jorgenson Administrator National Foster Parent Association, Inc.

“Dr. Blatt has provided us with a tool for everyday problems, and a thoughtful guidance through difficult issues. A must read for parents as well as providers of services.”–Ole A. Pettersen Executive Director Center For Addiction Recovery

“Being a foster parent is extremely challenging and when questions arise quick and thoughtful answers should be available. Dr. Blatt covers many aspects of foster care including health and behavior. The book is easy to read and practical, yet research-based and up-to-date.”–William F. Holicky Executive Director The House of the Good Shepherd

Book Description

Provides guidance and suggestions to maximize the experience for foster families and assist them in the process.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Bergin & Garvey (February 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 089789653X
• ISBN-13: 978-0897896535
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,513,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Utterly unhelpful., July 3, 2004

By 

K. Koch (east central Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children (Hardcover)

This book was utterly unhelpful in so many ways!

The author assumes that foster parents have bio children, so she says things like, "For the majority of foster children, you should raise the child just as you did your own," and "If your foster child is having tantrums and the child is quite young, use the same approach you did with your own child." Well, since I don't have any children, that doesn't really help me!

Other sections just don't give any suggestions at all. In a section titled, "What to do in the first few hours," she writes, "Certain questions will immediately make the child feel better, and others might cause discomfort. Try to avoid the uncomfortable questions." (No, really? I don't want to make the child uncomfortable?) But she makes NO suggestions about what are good things to discuss and what you should avoid. I mean, some things are obvoius, but a little more guidance would be nice.

There are sections about illness and injury, most of which are so common sense that even I -- childless though I am -- didn't need a book to tell me. (Besides, there are many other better books out there dealing with that kind of thing.) And if you already have children (as she seems to assume), then why would you need such obvious instruction?

The author is a pediatrician, and this is where she claims to have gained her knowledge about foster children. There is no indication that she has ever been a foster parent or even considered being a foster parent. So how can she claim to know how to parent a foster child?

In all, I was not the least bit pleased with this book. There were a handful of good comments and ideas in it, but I don't think it's anything I won't get in my training.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My thoughts after reading this book., May 19, 2000

By 

Lee Paul - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children (Hardcover)

I am a nurse and have worked with foster children for more than 25 years. I feel that this book provides an insight into the situation these kids are in. They are really victims, and they need a great deal of support. The book gives a lot of information for all ages of foster children, and all kinds of problems. I would highly recommend this book for every foster parent.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless, December 9, 2002

By 

thomas j malott (Walnut Creek, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guidebook for Raising Foster Children (Hardcover)

A poorly wrtten, superficial overview of the complexities of the foster care system. Don't waste your money; there are better resources for a whole lot less money!