Hi, I'm Sarah, and I've been a foster parent for three years now. When I first started, I thought I needed to have all the answers right away—like I had to be this perfect parent from day one. But here's what I learned: consistency and patience speak so much louder than perfection. I remember our bedtimes used to be... well, let's just say they were battles. So I created this simple routine—we'd dim the lights, read one story together, and I'd ask each child to share one good thing from their day. That's it. It took weeks before I saw changes, but slowly, bedtime became our bonding time. The kids started opening up, sharing more than just 'good things'—they'd tell me about their worries, their dreams, their silly jokes. I realized that building trust isn't about grand gestures. It's about showing up, every single day, in small but meaningful ways. If you're thinking about fostering or you're in the thick of parenting challenges, remember: you don't have to be perfect to make a difference. Just be consistent, be patient, and be present.