Hellobee Boards

I only have a 3 year old but just wanted to chime in and say good luck! You'll be a wonderful girl momma .

Mine from the time she was tiny has loved shoes and purses and loves to play dress up with me. I'd guess that would be a wonderful thing to come home to

@Sams Mom: that's totally not a given. I never hated my mom so don't get into that mindset

@Sams Mom: My DD turned 7 in March

Here are some things I can think of:

Bathing - she may or may not be able to wash her own hair
my DD still needs help getting the shampoo out before using conditioner

Music - she loves listening to music - maybe have some headphones and a kindle or iPod she can use

Friends - the drama at this age shocks me - girls are mean.

Toys - DD loves barbies and AG

I would take her shopping when she arrives and let her pick out a few things on her own, like a blanket, fun bath towels, maybe some new pjs.

I have found that this age is moody - loving one minute and then back talk the next. DD is really pressing her limits right now and I have to be very firm with expectations.

I would imagine regardless of age this will be a tough transition - best of luck to all of you!

@Sams Mom: So I don't have a daughter, but my best friend has one that just turned 9. When she was 8, my friend got her the American Girl Body Book (https://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-You-Younger-Revised/dp/1609580834/) and she also mentioned to me about how her daughter started to have BO and they needed to bathe more (especially during the summer) and start to think about deodorants, or similar.

Also, I don't know how far you live from where she lives currently, but my friend's daughter had her first sleep-over party at 8, so if you're able to do something with her friends (or maybe once she forms new ones), that would be cool.

My friend's daughter was also really into the Descendant movies on Disney and pretty into Fairies. Also, really starting to do more independent reading was huge for my friend because it was something her daughter struggled with.

My girl turns 7 this month. I echo most of what @Mamaof2: said. My girl is a book lover.

Closer to her arrival i would get time with the school counselor as well.

What about having some art materials available, maybe a set of markers and a mandala coloring book or something like that. Books are really personal and you don't know what her reading level is and I wouldn't want to upset her by picking something that's not at the right level. Art supplies seem more generic and they're something she can do alone in her room.

I'd consider counseling for you and your husband with a therapist who is well versed in child trauma. It would be nice to get it started now, so that you can have some support and psychoeducation if issues do come up. If things go smoothly and its not needed, great!

@Sams Mom: Please feel free to PM me! We are foster parents of a 10 and 11 year old and it was all new to me too. I'm happy to help answer questions. I am by no means an expert, but we are figuring things out as we go.