Caregiver. A giver of care. Either way you express it, people who find themselves raising children and youth very often experience elevated feelings of love, family, and togetherness. And being a caregiver can deepen your experiences of community and purpose; it is a meaningful opportunity to extend your love, your parenting skills, and your family.

And there are times when caregiving can feel difficult, and the essence of love and togetherness seem so far away from you and your family. Raising children from other parents can be the most exhilarating experience while also being the most confounding experience. What do you do when being a giver of care has you feeling like you have nothing more to give?

You are not alone. As a former foster parent, I know what you are experiencing. I want to validate everything you are feeling and provide you the support to continue in this important role. Through my own experiences and in training and working with resource caregivers across the state, I have gathered perspectives, skills, and knowledge to share that I believe will encourage you in whatever caregiving role you are in.

In monthly posts that you can access below, I’ll be sharing bite-size tips to enhance your caregiving and build your own parenting resilience. From handling sibling rivalry and grappling with big emotions to understanding odd behavior in typically fun settings, or from building your self-care routine to exploring your own complicated feelings about providing care, we’ll delve into various topics to support you and your family on this rich journey of giving care to the children and youth of Colorado.

Check here monthly, or sign up for the CWTS newsletter to get the link to new tips as soon as they are shared.

If you’re looking for more in-depth courses for caregivers, start here.

If you’re looking for our Foster Parent Learning Exchange (a community of support), find topics here.

Michelle Mares