Welcome back to Taylor Talks!
Don't you just love the feeling of buying new clothes? Especially when you haven't gone shopping in a long time? I love that feeling, and I love it even more when I'm lucky enough to have my parents buying new clothes for me! (Thanks Mom & Dad!) Well would it surprise you to know that one of the first things that we do when we take in a new foster child is buy them new clothes?
Don't you just love the feeling of buying new clothes? Especially when you haven't gone shopping in a long time? I love that feeling, and I love it even more when I'm lucky enough to have my parents buying new clothes for me! (Thanks Mom & Dad!) Well would it surprise you to know that one of the first things that we do when we take in a new foster child is buy them new clothes?
When children come to us, they usually don't come with much more than whatever they're wearing. In fact, most kids don't even come dressed appropriately for the season. For example, kids will come in the middle of winter with just a light spring jacket, or come in summer wearing a wool long-sleeve shirt. Within the child's first week in our house, my mom (and usually a certain big sister *cough cough*) take the child to the store for new clothes.
DSS gives foster parents a "clothing allowance" which is basically a voucher that can be redeemed at certain clothing stores. This will cover items like a few shirts and pants, maybe a jacket or winter coat, and diapers if we take in an infant. However, the clothing allowance is never worth enough, and my parents always take out extra money out of their own pockets to pay for more that the child needs.
I think that new clothes can really make a person feel better. Sure, the children that we take in are usually pretty young, but I think that they still understand the feeling that comes from getting a bright new shirt or shiny new sneakers. And all children deserve to feel good in new clothes once in a while, don't you think?
So yes, it's good to prepare for the fact that you'll be spending as much money on a foster child as you would a biological child when it comes to clothing, food, etc. Your wallet might be upset after you take the new foster child on a shopping spree, but I promise that you'll feel like the richest person in the world when you can do something to make a child smile.
I’d greatly appreciate it if you would share this blog with friends and family through your favorite social media sites. If you’re sharing on Twitter, don’t forget to tag me (@TayTayK02) and use the hashtag #TaylorTalks.
Thanks!
Taylor
DSS gives foster parents a "clothing allowance" which is basically a voucher that can be redeemed at certain clothing stores. This will cover items like a few shirts and pants, maybe a jacket or winter coat, and diapers if we take in an infant. However, the clothing allowance is never worth enough, and my parents always take out extra money out of their own pockets to pay for more that the child needs.
I think that new clothes can really make a person feel better. Sure, the children that we take in are usually pretty young, but I think that they still understand the feeling that comes from getting a bright new shirt or shiny new sneakers. And all children deserve to feel good in new clothes once in a while, don't you think?
So yes, it's good to prepare for the fact that you'll be spending as much money on a foster child as you would a biological child when it comes to clothing, food, etc. Your wallet might be upset after you take the new foster child on a shopping spree, but I promise that you'll feel like the richest person in the world when you can do something to make a child smile.
I’d greatly appreciate it if you would share this blog with friends and family through your favorite social media sites. If you’re sharing on Twitter, don’t forget to tag me (@TayTayK02) and use the hashtag #TaylorTalks.
Thanks!
Taylor
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