Best products from r/fosterit
We found 22 comments on r/fosterit discussing the most recommended products. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 45 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Kidde 468193 KL-2S Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder with Anti-Slip Rungs, 13-Foot
- Easy to use fire ladder - attaches quickly to most common windows
- Flame resistant, durable and sturdy, foldable ladder
- Strong and durable fire safety ladder tested to 1,000 pounds
- Tangle free design fast and easy to deploy in an emergency with anti-slip rungs
- No assembly or tools are required; 5-year warranty
Features:
2. Brothers and Sisters in Adoption
- Lollipops come in an assortment of flavors and colors. Great giveaways for Doctor's office visits, teachers for students, and as prizes
- This assortment of individually wrapped candy is great for adults and kids
- Round yummy colored pops to satisfy your sugar craving
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3. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)
- Candlewick Press MA
Features:
4. Kidkusion Indoor/Outdoor Banister Guard, Clear, 15'
- Easily attaches with enclosed tie straps
- Measures 33'' x 15' roll
- Combine product for longer length
- Helps to prevent falls and keep the toys upstairs
Features:
5. Babyganics Ultra Absorbent Diapers, Size 2, 36 Count
- Created with the most natural and renewable plant-based ingredients
Features:
6. 2014 Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect Stroller, Gotham
- FastAction Fold Jogger Click Connect Jogging Stroller accepts all Graco Click Connect infant car seats with a secure one-step attachment
- One-second, one-hand fold has an automatic storage lock and is self-standing when folded
- Air-filled rubber tires offer suspension
- This infant jogging stroller features locking front swivel wheel provides an easy transition from daily strolling to jogging
- SnugRide Click Connect 35 holds a baby up to 35 pounds and is top rated by leading consumer publications
Features:
7. Boppy Original Nursing Pillow and Positioner, Peaceful Jungle, Cotton Blend Fabric with allover fashion
- 30 YEARS OF COMFORT AND SUPPORT WHILE NURSING: The award-winning Boppy Original Pillow provides your arms and back relief by lifting your baby to a more ergonomic position when breastfeeding or bottle feeding. This fashionable pillow is a cotton blend fabric with an allover fashion.
- VERSATILE USES FOR 0-12 MONTHS: The Boppy Original Nursing Pillow supports your newborn through their entire first year with propping, tummy time, sitting or just discovering little fingers and toes. Designed for your baby's supervised, awake time.
- EASY CARE, MACHINE WASHABLE: The Boppy Pillow and Boppy Pillow Cover are machine washable because little messes happen. All Boppy Pillow Covers are sold separately and are guaranteed to fit the Boppy Pillow. Having an extra Boppy Pillow Cover, that easily zips on and off, is great for between wash cycles.
- AWARD-WINNING QUALITY: The Boppy Pillow has won several awards voted on by parents and the baby community. The most recent wins are from the BabyCenter Mom’s Pick Best of 2018 and the 2018 What to Expect Must-Have Winner.
- NURSERY MUST-HAVE: The Boppy Pillow is a registry must-have, making it the perfect gift for any baby shower. Pick an adorable, Original Nursing Pillow design that matches your nursery theme.
Features:
8. 4moms rockaRoo Baby Swing | Compact Baby Rocker with Front to Back Gliding Motion | Smooth, Nylon Fabric | Grey Classic
- Front to back gliding motion
- Compact size; 1/3 the size of traditional swings
- 5 speeds
- MP3 compatible
- Toy mobile with reversible, removable toys
- Easy to remove, machine washable seat
- 3-point harness
- AC Adaptor (no batteries required)
- Supports up to 25 lbs (or until baby can sit up unassisted)
- 12-month warranty
Features:
9. Munchkin Sturdy Potty Seat, Blue
- Portable toddler potty seat perfect for potty training boys and girls
- Contoured to hold child securely in place. The easy-to clean potty seat fits most standard toilets
- Non-skid edge ensures that seat doesn't move
- Built-in handles for added security
- "Feet" for easy stand-up storage
Features:
10. Bright Starts Roaming Safari Walk-A-Bout Walker
- Imaginative walker transforms every room into a jungle
- Safari-themed walker for boy or girl
- Removable toy station can be used almost anywhere
- 3 height positions grow as your little one does!
- Lights, music and toys turn walking into adventure
Features:
11. Infantino Cuddle Up Ergonomic Baby Carrier, Face-in Front Carry & Back Carry with Removable Character Canopy Hood - Bear
Great value for a great price, Carriers children from 12-40 lbs (5.4-18.1 kgs) and is machine washable!Great Baby Carrier for Dad and Mom with adjustable straps that help the carrier form to all different body types and sizes allowing for hours of comfortable wearIncludes a removable canopy hood tha...
12. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy and Friends Learning Table
- Use the bi-lingual activity table to learn with all baby's favorite characters
- There are over 60 songs, tunes and phrases
- The legs can be detached for playing on the floor
- The interactive content encourages baby to cruise around the table
- There are many features to keep baby busy
Features:
13. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker (Frustration Free Packaging)
- Interactive learning baby Walker has a removable play panel; frustration free packaging means it comes in a plain brown box
- Early learning center has 5 piano keys that play music and encourage creativity; wheels work on carpeted and hard floors
- Features 2 colorful spinning rollers, 3 shape sorters, and 3 light-up buttons that develop motor skills
- Pretend telephone handset and mechanical elements enhance role-play fun; 2 AA batteries are included
- Over 70 sing-along songs, music, sound effects and fun phrases; meant for babies and toddlers 9 months to 3 years old. Sensory development
- Frustration Free Packaging means it comes easier to open in a plain brown box
Features:
14. Bright Starts 3-in-1 Around We Go Activity Center, Ages 6 months Plus
- More movement, more giggles, more happy moments
- Award winning sitting to standing Walker
- Baby Walker rotates around activity center
- Walker seat can be removed when baby outgrows it. Suitable for child less than 30” tall
Features:
15. Summer Lil' Loo Potty, Raspberry and White
Removable pot for quick and easy clean-upHigh back for support and comfortSplash guard for boys
16. Boppy Original Newborn Lounger, French Rose
THE PERFECT NEST: Perfect place for newborns to kick and coo in comfort and provide you with a hands-free moment. Designed with a unique recessed interior to cradle baby’s bottom, keeping your baby relaxed and safe. Designed for your baby's supervised, awake time.PORTABLE DESIGN: Grab and go - sof...
17. Sash Mei Tai Baby Carrier
- Sash, Wrap and Tie Mei Tai Design Damask Style Pattern
- Features Detachable Hood Protects Baby and Extra Wide Padded Straps
- Three Carrying Positions : Face to face, Hip Hugging, Backpack Style
- Adjustable Lumbar Support helps relieve shoulder pressure
- Designed for Babies & Toddlers weighing 8-36 lbs (3.6 - 16.3 kgs)
Features:
18. OsoCozy - Indian Cotton - Prefold Cloth Diapers Medium 4x6x4
- SUPER-SOFT INDIAN COTTON DIAPERS – Made from pure, 100% cotton, these diapers are lint free with a thick gauze weave for extra strong absorbency that is gentle enough for your baby’s skin.
- RELIABLE, REUASABLE DIAPERS – These prefold diapers from OsoCozy are easy to care for. Simply toss the soiled diapers in the wash, then machine or line dry.
- HIGHLY ABSORBENT PREFOLDS - OsoCozy Prefold Diapers are made for absorbency, with middle panels constructed of 6-8 layers of cloth and outer panels of 2-4 layers, offering plenty of function plus less bulky fit and quicker drying.
- HIGH-QUALITY PREFOLD DIAPERS – Our Indian cotton diapers are diaper service quality, offering ultimate functionality with soft, high-quality cloth for your baby
- OSOCOZY QUALITY – Before using these diapers the first time, machine wash them with hot water to ensure they fluff up and soften beautifully, making them both absorbent and gentle on baby’s skin.
Features:
19. Evenflo ExerSaucer Jump and Learn Jumper, Jungle Quest
- Provides baby with secure learn and play environment
- 58 fun learning activities help babies achieve important developmental milestones
- Bounce base gives baby a soft landing pad that promotes stability in early development
- Physical exercise to develop baby's neck, back and leg muscles and improve gross motor skills
- Take with me toys provide for customizable learn and play experience;Gender:Boys, Girls
Features:
>SO glad there's a book that addresses these issues, and you just provided me with the perfect "summary" words to describe the issue.
It looks like the adoption "system" (for lack of a better word to describe everyone involved) is finally starting to correct a lot of things (the "adopt me" ads for special need foster kids for instance aren't all "peaches and cream" anymore, they ARE beginning to list things like "Behavior Problems: Severe; Emotional Issues: Moderate-to-Severe; etc." -- which is a good step towards more honesty and away from the "put a happy face on it" that was so common in the past.)
The book ("Brothers and Sisters In Adoption") was published just last year (2009) but is already being recommended as a "starting point" for families thinking of becoming foster or adoptive families.
It was strongly recommended to me as I am starting the process of (potentially) becoming an adoptive parent -- even though there I have no other children in the home -- and I must say that despite the title {which is NOT incorrect because the book DOES spend significant amount of time/space on bio-to-adoptee relationship issues} and I have to say it was a VERY good recommendation.
The current title "Brothers and Sisters In Adoption" -- while apropos -- just doesn't do justice to the wealth of information in the book -- the same book could really be simultaneously published under another title; something like: "Comprehensive Pre-Adoption Preparation Primer for Prospective Adoptive Families" (or as the Amazon Review guy says "Realistic Expectations About Adoption").
I'm almost half-way through (now in the middle of chapter 5 out of 11 chapters + appendices) and while I am normally a fast reader, it contains so much info that requires a LOT of thought (and internal re-examination, re-assessment, and a re-calibration of expectations) -- I can easily see that it will likely take me another week to read through cover-to-cover, and that I will be very likely to read through it (or at least several chapters) of it multiple times.
BTW, a significant part of the content came from a host of interviews with adult and teen (and a few preteen) bio-siblings from adoptive homes -- including a lot of brutally honest direct quotations from the kids themselves (as well as similar from adoptive parents).
The top review-blurb on Amazon says:
>Don't be fooled by the title! Yes, this book is about brothers and sisters but it is also a most comprehensive look at adoption. The title could just as easily be Realistic Expectations About Adoption, hearing the stories of all members of the family. It explores pre and post-adoption as well as the psychological time-line of moving from immobilization to mobilization, and it includes many resources that would benefit all members of the adoptive family. Being comprehensive, it explores strengths and weaknesses, joys and challenges, moms and dads, brothers and sisters. This book should be an important guide for assisting families in making their ongoing journey of adoption.
>I always wanted to bring it up to my mom one day, So I can finally get it all off my chest - even if its so many years later. Thanks!
Get a copy... reading it might give you some catharsis -- and I'd bet your Mom might find it very interesting to read as well (and if anyone comes to her saying they are thinking of adopting, then she can direct them to it as well.)
Cheers!
Honestly, maybe just talk to him about it being natural to want to look at porn (as you have) but also explain that it's very rude to do it on other people's devices and explain the issues of viruses/pop-ups. Then I'd have a quick talk about how porn portrays sex being unrealistic/respecting women and partners etc., and just tell him if he wants to look at porn it's fine but he should keep that all in mind and do it in private and only go to trusted websites (maybe show him a few, explain that he should never actively download anything, that he should use adblockers, that he should never give out a phone number or credit card numbers to access porn as that will charge money).
I think that it would be okay to change your phone password (and tell him you are doing that so he is not tempted to use someone elses' phone again) but adding locks on your doors and cameras seems really extreme and to me sends the message that you don't trust him to modify his behavior or control himself. It also seems like an invasion of his privacy and not the right way to send a message about respecting others' privacy. Would you have liked to know that your parents used cameras to watch you? A white noise machine seems ideal if you want to keep your sex quieter, though. Honestly, I grew up in a small house and had to hear my parents have sex, so he might be hearing it whether he wants to or not.
A few mags might be okay, but maybe he should just have the chance to have some private internet time now and again on a device that has good anti-virus software. You can teach him how to clear his browser history or use incognito mode as well to protect his own privacy. Also, maybe he is into men and doesn't want to look at female models, and if that's the case, giving him those mags will alienate him further. If he has some free reign to find his own porn then you avoid that.
The author Robie Harris has some GREAT books that vary by developmental stage that address sexual health and reproduction issues; I believe "It's Perfectly Normal" is the one that addresses masturbation in a really healthy way.
>be can be as short as a few hours
I guess if a few is 10-12ish.
>is there an "average" stay length
Usually, you don't know. A few months is not unusual, I'd count on 3 months being usual short end (unless it's 2-weeks and they're trying to puzzle siblings together around a bunch of nearly full placements).
>open to all age-ranges up to 17
I don't know what state you're in. You may want to consider instead saying "any age". A lot of states rules don't let you "care for" any "adults or children not in foster care (or your kids)" in your home. Not every state ages kids out at the 18th birthday. There's usually a transition to independent placement option that may run to 22 (when kids normally finish college). If you've had a kid since they were even 14, do you want your license to require them to be moved when they hit 18? Do you want them to stay with you over university breaks? This caveat usually comes as a surprise to people.
>sibling groups of up to 3
I'm not sure about your room situation, but in some states agemate/gendermate rules apply to siblings, so the room may be partially empty some of the time. Consider what you want to do to support Little Miss before you're trying to emotionally decide if she has to share her room or the third sibling has to sleep at the office.
>What is the training like?
It's very touchy-feely. Usually it's about helping you empathize with a foster kid. Because you're probably default is a happy, hearty "WELCOME!!! we're so excited to have you here" and they're trying to get you to "I understand your world is falling apart right now and I'm here to help; please use the toilet whenever you need to".
Also, your (mostly unpaid) "job" is basically to keep the kid alive and help support the parents, some of whom would generally be regarded as scum by society. So, there will likely be some information on how to support rather than judge bio parents.
You'll also probably be introduced to a bit of state law regarding kids, and federal law like ICWA.
Like everything else though, it's going to vary by state.
>My house is not as pristine as I'd like for it to be. Are there any major things I need to be sure of that you discovered when you went through this.
The home study has less to do with cleanliness and more to do with your not killing the children. Think of it more as a child-proofing thing. Toys on the floor, and dirty laundry are usually no big deal. On the other hand:
If it says "out of reach of children" it should be. That means all your cleaners and the open shampoo in your shower, probably. Also, Clorox wipes (or knockoffs) need to be put up.
Cabinets with chemicals need child locks.
Gates on every set of stairs (top & bottom), no pressure gates at the top.
Medicine locked up; must be an actual lock (tool boxes are okay for this, it's hard to get a wall mounted medicine cabinet for this). When your kid gets strep, etc, you're gonna have medicine that has to be refrigerated. Have a fridge lockbox on hand, you don't want to be waiting on it in the mail. Or get a dorm fridge with the little key.
Balusters (railings) my state has a 4" rule. Most balusters seem to be installed absolutely stupidly and some span 6" or more. Have a plan to make them safe. My personal favorite is this sheeting. It actually is almost invisible, but kids absolutely LOVE the sound running into it makes, so that's the obvious downside.
"I have to lock it and I don't know how" - 90% of these issues are solved by knowing the word "hasp" and being able to saw up a 2 by 4. Seriously, learning that thing is called a hasp took forever, and then locking things got way, way simpler.
Wall mount the TVs. It's not required, but kids can't get crushed, they can't mess with the buttons, they have a harder time getting mess all over the screen.
Also, a lot of these kids get out of bed after you're asleep and move to the couch. Check the couches before you freak out when they're missing.
Comfy rocking chair
When it comes to cribs, pack n plays, rock n plays, bouncers and swings its upto the childs taste. Out of my nieces and nephews 1 always napped in a rock n play, 1 in the swing, 1 would sleeps anywhere, 1 would sleep on mommy or a boppy, 1 in the crib and my daughter would only sleep in the carrier or being held. She never used the rock n play, crib or pack n play but loved the bouncer and occasionally accepted sitting in the boppy or swing. They are all so different. With our little girl her reflux was so bad that if she was laid flat she would immediately throw up.
(I will edit to add more when I get a minute)
Another book for your "buy these instead" list - A Family is a Family is a Family just came out last year, and while it features a variety of family structures, the ending is super relevant for foster kids! Here's a review from amazon:
>PreS-Gr 2—A classroom of young children are asked to consider what makes families special. The narrator, a student whose head is hanging low, is nervous about answering, because she feels her family is too different from everyone else's. One by one, the students share, in intricate spreads, what makes their families unique. One student says that her mom and dad keep coming home with more children, another declares that both her moms are terrible singers, another mentions that she lives with her grandmother, and "fair's fair" for a child who stays with her mom one week and her father the next. After listening to all the students, the young narrator recalls a time in the park when her foster mother was asked to point out her real children. Her answer: "Oh, I don't have any imaginary children…. All my children are real." In this warm, nondiscriminating narrative, O'Leary removes limiting definitions and labels like "adopted," "fostered," or "divorced" and instead presents a tale that is innocent and wise. Leng's ink and digitally rendered watercolor illustrations are light and airy and complement the text by capturing the thoughts and purity of a child's perspective. The classroom is a beautiful blend of children of different races, genders, and body types. VERDICT Parents, caregivers, and educators will appreciate the message that this story offers for one-on-one sharing and for discussion with small groups. A sweet and tender tale that shows that families are composed of love regardless of how they may be configured.—Brianne Colombo, Pequannock Township Public Library, NJ
Probably better for the older end of your age range, but couldn't resist mentioning it. Books about feelings in general are good too; my favorites for the toddler/preschool set are The Feelings Book and My Many-Colored Days.
Arizona R21-8-112 5c and 5g
>5c. Identify two routes of evacuation from each bedroom on every floor used by individuals residing in or receiving care in the home. At least one of the exit routes for these bedrooms leads directly to the outside of the home, but shall not lead into an area that serves as a pool enclosure;
>5g. Include the placement of equipment, such as a ladder, that can be safely used by the individuals residing in each upstairs bedroom that have been identified with fire exits.
So that's a little murky. You can say that technically they aren't residing in the room so even though in Arizona you'd have to designate a window exit, it shouldn't legally need a fire ladder. But honestly, it's worth the $33 to put one up there anyways for safety. You can wait for a sale if you want, because I've seen these get down in the low $20s.
I got a drop down ladder from Amazon for about $30 and the case worker was okay with that and it just sits in the closet in the child's room. We rent so I needed something less permanent.
Here is the link to the one I got Kidde KL-2S Two-Story Fire Escape Ladder with Anti-Slip Rungs, 13-Foot https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005OU7B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_UyeNxbD6NCBJV