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Maybe Days

A Book for Children in Foster Care

Jennifer Wilgocki author Marcia Kahn Wright author Alissa Imre Geis illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:American Psychological Association

Published:15th Dec '01

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Maybe Days cover

Will I live with my parents again? Will I stay with my foster parents forever? For children in foster care, the answer to many questions is often "maybe." Maybe Days addresses the questions, feelings, and concerns these children most often face.

Honest and reassuring, it also provides basic information that children want and need to know, including the roles of various people in the foster care system and whom to ask for help.

An extensive afterword for adults caring for foster children describes the child's experience, underscores the importance of open communication, and outlines a variety of ways to help children adjust to the "maybe days"—and to thrive.

From the Note to Foster Parents and Other Adults:

The enormity of adjustment that children in foster care are asked to make is hard to over-state. Children in foster care may experience and express a range of feelings, many of which may emerge during the reading of this book. Multiple feelings may occur at the same time and may include:
Relief and a sense of safety

  • Happiness and a sense of enjoyment
  • Sadness
  • Anger
  • Fear or worry
  • Confusion
  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Loneliness
  • Sense of loss
Some children respond well to verbal discussion about their feelings....Keep in mind that asking questions and encouraging activities can be useful for some children, but it is not always necessary and is never a substitute for simply listening.

"Our family thought that Maybe Days did a great job describing the different professionals that are involved in the foster care process on a child’s level. The book also does a pretty good job of describing the situation that a foster child is in – namely that it is not their fault and discussing the various situations they may find themselves."—Transfiguring Adoption

"The book validates different emotions and experiences....The book is good at simply explaining the different roles adults play."—Families.com

"For many children in foster care, the answer to many questions is often “maybe”. Maybe Days is a straightforward look at the issues of foster care, the questions that children ask, and the feelings that they confront. A primer for children going into foster care, the book also explains in children’s terms the responsibilities of everyone involved – parents, social workers, lawyers and judges. As for the children themselves, their job is to be a kid – and there’s no maybe about that."—Fostering Together

ISBN: 9781557988027

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

32 pages