Aussies will compete with the US and China in terms of gaming tourism

January 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment

 

This is a guest post. All opinions are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of this site or it’s authors (who don’t know a thing about gambling!) 

The USA and Macau are surely leaders in Gaming tourism, but lately, Australia is competing with them in it.

 

Many countries, including the USA, Macau and Australia develop casinos within their bounds to get more tourists to come in, which is profitable for the economy as it brings in not only more money but also more recognition and potential investors.

 

Australia is an honored gaming and betting destination by international and local gamers as well. Australian Casinos are among the top tourist attractions of the country and draw up to 11 million tourists yearly.

 

Many casinos in Australia have a large number of local clients as well. Aussies spend over $20 billion on gaming annually.

The Biggest Advantages of Australian Casino Tourism

The very first reason why customers prefer Australian Casinos must be their tax policy. All Australian Casinos pay casino taxes, while in America, gamers have to pay the taxes out of their winnings.

 

Another advantage is that these 24/7 Casinos offer great restaurants and bars, as well as entertainment and luxury hotel rooms. Accordingly, they represent the best casinos for all your gaming needs!

 

The best places to gamble in Australia varies according to several key factors – location, type of gaming, and where Australia’s biggest casino wins have taken place.

Bonuses and Promotions to encourage gamers

All Australian Casinos, especially online casinos, regularly offer some bonuses both to the new and regular players.

 

New players usually get some welcome bonuses amount of which may depend on the deposit amount. Regular players get some cash-back bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, and many other types of incentives.

 

Casinos use these bonuses and promotions to encourage gamers to register and playing for real money.

 

Some casinos also give players loyalty points per bet, and later these points can be exchanged into real cash. Consequently, loyal members get bonuses and valuable gifts more frequently.

 

Australian Online Casinos offer a wide variety of games, including a huge range of pokies, blackjack, baccarat, online poker, roulette, and many others.

 

Since most of them comply with all international standards and regulations, these casinos absolutely guarantee the withdrawal of all winnings. 

 

While choosing the safest and trusted online casinos, gamers also pay much attention to their mobile compatibility. That’s why a significant majority of Australia’s online casinos strive to optimize their websites for mobile devices. As a result, players get a no-compromise quality and quite similar features as desktop versions offered them.

Why Is gaming so prevalent in Australia?

Australians’ preferred gaming activities are permanently changing, but they remain the most prolific gamblers of the world.

 

The most prevalent types of gaming in Australia include lottery-type games and poker machines. Except the Western Australia, these pokies are allowed not only in casinos, but in pubs and other public areas as well. So they are easily accessed at almost every street corner. As a result, about 80% of Australian adults are addicted to gaming.

 

The current gaming addiction problem in Australia is evident. Still, since Casinos pay vast amounts of taxes for obtaining of the gaming license, the gaming industry itself remains highly profitable for the country. Australian Casinos also attract millions of foreigner tourists per year, and as it seems, the government has their addiction to this industry

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: ,

Flying with kids, my experience from SeaTac airport

December 6, 2019 by 1 Comment

The following is a guest post. All opinions and experiences are those of the author.

My first job was quite exciting as a regional director of sales, I would fly in and out of the country frequently. I was either alone or with members of the sales team; at least there was no one who required extra attention. Fast forward to my current life as a mother of kids whose greatest hobby is driving me up the wall. Well, how else would you call yelling for no apparent reason, picking fights with each other especially in public and pretending to forget instructions only when it is convenient for them?

There is no better feeling than the freedom of having carryon luggage at the airport, changing sitting positions at the airport terminal and having your entire flight time, organize so that you even have time to catch a nap.

We flew together as a family last Christmas and I can tell you, kids on planes are a real piece of work. You better have an extra pair of adult hands if you are hoping on arriving sane. I think I did pretty well on that flight and that is the reason I feel I can teach other parents a thing or two about flying with kids. I will try to narrate the experience step by step so that it is easy to apply.

Before getting to the airport

There is no way around this one; you have to start preparing the children early. Even if everybody knew in advance that the whole family would be travelling, lateness still has a way of creeping up on you. It is best to leave an extra hour to cater for time wasted. Depending on the time of travel, organize homemade snacks for the kids instead of actual food. This will not only save you preparation time, but it will also save on eating time.

I had kind of shared some preparation duties with my husband but things changed on the actual day. Not only did he not help me at all, but he also went to his place of work to take care of last minute business leaving me to myself. The only thing that saved me from a nervous breakdown was being ahead of the schedule.

I also realized that I saved so much time having done the packing before. Packing for 4 is no mean feat and there is no shortcut for doing it well while in a hurry. As far as parking is concerned, I used 2 suitcases to cut down on luggage. I just figured that there would be no easy way of dragging around 4 suitcases around the airport.

When it comes to travelling to the airport, I had an easy time because I used SeaTac airport parking through the Parkos platform. This platform allows me to drive to the airport in comfort with the assurance that I will find suitable airport parking garage for my vehicle the entire time I will be away. Some people advocate for hired rides when travelling to the airport but I disagree. I consider the inconvenience of having to pay bus fare for each member of my entourage, the inconvenience of dealing with children in an unfamiliar territory and dealing with moving your luggage from where the bus leaves you to the terminal. You will particularly love Parkos Seattle Tacoma airport parking if you are the forgetful type; I have left my travel document many times but with a car and knowledge of shortcuts, all I need to do not to miss a flight is to turn back.

At the airport

Once you arrive at the SeaTac international airport, half of your travel woes will have been half solved. Judge the distance from your terminal to where your parking lot is and weigh between valet parking and self-parking. I am addicted to valet parking; I think it is because of the convenience it offers.

SeaTac airport is famous for its state of the art facilities designed for both adults and kids. If you have a few minutes to spare before your flight, download the story app. This gives you a guided tour through each of the more than 100 pieces of art work displaced around the airport. Last minute tasks you need to remember to do especially if you have a small child include changing their diaper and changing their clothes. The airport provides changing stations all over its premises and a host of shops that sell diapers.

How long is the flight going to take? Check to see if the snacks you brought from home will be enough for your kids. If you need more, buy from the stores around the airport. Take care not to buy foods that would easily go bad or cause an allergic reaction on your children. The simple rule of thumb is; leave it if you are not sure what went into it.

For entertainment I download games on two tablets which I make sure I fully charge before leaving the house. Obviously, kids get bored easily and they ditch the games after a while. That is why I appreciate the presence of Digiboo kiosks in different locations in SeaTac. I can get the latest movies for both the kids and I (My husband and I share the same interests in entertainment so he is sorted when I am).

In case you get stuck at the airport longer than as it happens when a flight has been delayed, go over to the children’s play area with the kids. They will not only socialize with other kids but will also shed off some of the energy they have.

During the flight

When your flight is finally called to board, listen for the special privilege given to those with small children. Airlines are aware that your children will bring you hell on earth in flight and they are willing to give you ample time to organize your luggage in the overhead compartment before everybody else does.

If you find that you are not the only parent flying with kids, try to create a friendly environment with the other parents. Appreciate the fact that their kids could be older or younger than yours so they will behave differently. You are not looking for long term friends here but someone like you who understands what you are going through. You need their encouraging glances every now and then when your child acts out or is being impatient during the flight.

Come with plenty of chewing gum

Take-off and landing can be a nightmare for your kids especially when they have a cold. You will helplessly watch as your child does Poltergeist and even the most tolerant passengers you met as you checked in may not offer you any support. You will not be able to avoid the effect of changes in air pressure so better be prepared to deal with it. Have a pair of headphones for each of your children and given them gum to chew on before it happens.

Lie about how soon you will land

I remember as a kid travelling with my mother and the question I asked most was “are we there yet?” I do not remember much of what I got as an answer but I now know how annoying it is to answer the same question over and over again. For my children, I have decided to lie on occasion just to keep them grounded. How best can you tell a six year old that you have another 3 hours to sit in a plane? If you choose to do the same, make sure you have disabled the map feature that shows exactly how much time to estimate till landing.

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The Action of Belotero Injectable Drugs

December 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment

The following is a guest post. All opinions are those of the author.

Everybody knows that natural means are the most effective and safest for human health. However, herbs and natural creams sometimes are helpless. Especially, when it comes to deep old wrinkles, sagging skin or pronounced signs of ageing. The most effective way of fighting such problems is contour plastics. It’s an innovative solution allowing doctors rapidly and efficiently get rid of dermal imperfections. This procedure of correction consists of several injections to get rid of skin lines, correct contours or increase lips’ fullness. The main advantage of modern injectables is their ability to stimulate natural rejuvenating processes like the creation of hyaluronic acid or skin elastin. There are many companies producing quality cosmetic products and medical devices for aesthetic medical procedures. Merz Aesthetics is one of them. Merz is a Belotero manufacturer — one of the most popular and highly demanded HA-based fillers in the aesthetic industry market. 

What Is Belotero & How Does It Work? 

Belotero is a monophasic filler, which is produced using the coherent semi-densified matrix technology. There are two main Belotero active substances — sodium hyaluronate and phosphate buffer. 

With intradermal administration, sodium hyaluronate causes the development of subcutaneous microfibers and the formation of a subcutaneous vector scaffold, which increases skin elasticity and provides a lifting effect. Moreover, the action of the dermal filler is not restricted only by volumization. Since the substance is natural, the body absorbs it in a while. This process is called biodegradation. During this period, hyaluronic acid molecules penetrate even deeper into the dermis and activate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, which has a beneficial effect on the processes of natural skin rejuvenation.  

The procedure lasts 20-40 minutes. Doctors use very thin needles and introduce the gel into deep or middle layers of the skin depending on what area should be corrected. As a rule, Belotero doesn’t cause serious adverse reactions, however, small bruises, swelling and redness may occur. If these side effects last longer than a week, a patient should consult his\her doctor.  

Belotero Injectables: How Many of Them Exist? 

Want to check your doctor’s qualification? Ask him\her whether is it possible to inject one kind of dermal filler into different skin areas. Yes, all of them consist of the same ingredients but differ in proportions and consistency. Let’s quickly look through Belotero fillers. 

  • Belotero Soft contains 20 mg/ml of HA. The remedy is used by doctors to smooth out little wrinkles in delicate skin areas, such as crow’s feet or wrinkles above the upper lip. 
  • Belotero Balance has 22.5 mg/ml of hyaluronic acid and improves medium or deep folds and wrinkles in the perioral and periorbital zones. The remedy also perfectly corrects lip contours. 
  • Belotero Intense also includes 25.5 mg/ml of HA and eliminates deep old wrinkles. 
  • Belotero Volume has the greatest HA-concentration (26 mg/ml) and is created to restore the missing facial volume. 
  • Belotero Hydro is used only for biorevitalization. It contains 18 mg/ml of HA and glycerin. The drug deeply moisturizes the skin of the face, neck, hands, etc. 

Compatibility with Other Injectables 

A lot of medical products are forbidden to combine with other remedies. Such actions can lead to unpredictable and dangerous results. The innovative Belotero formula allows cosmetologists and plastic surgeons to use this dermal filler simultaneously with the following injectables: 

  • Juvederm; 
  • Hyaluform; 
  • Teosyal. 

Although these drugs interact well, patients should always inform their doctors of all previously made injections. 

If you need more information or want to buy Belotero fillers, please, follow the link to go to the supplier’s site. You will find a lot of useful information there as well as check the prices of products, and get great discounts and beneficial specials

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Choose The Best Travel Mug For Different Beverages

November 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment

The following is a guest post. The opinions are those of the author. This is his post, written in his vernacular and with his spelling choices.

 

If you want to choose the travel mug which will serve for the years which keeps your favourite beverages warm. Whenever you buy the mug, it is very important to make sure that it very effectively minimizes the temperature change. The high quality mug really matters when it comes for selecting the best insulated travel mug. Nobody wants such travel mug which gets leak so it is very important to have the sealed lid so that it can be comfortably used.

If you looking for a high quality travel mug, then you can really select among zojirushi  vs contingo. Whenever you have to travel, definitely you will look for some reliable travel mug which has a leak proof cover that will help to maintain the beverage temperature. While choosing the travel mug, it is also very important for you to check for the size, design and weight of the mug so that there will be no issues when you will carry the mug.  The advantage of the high quality travel mug is that it has non- stick interior and a disassemble stopper which ensure you the hassle free mug maintenance. There is also a lid lock which helps in preventing the accidental opening of the lid of travel mug which guarantees that the liquids will not spit out.

The best vacuum coffee mug is designed with keeping in mind the portability, so it is compact and lightweight. This will not also take much space in your bag.  It has a very large capacity and will also provide you with 2-3 cups of coffee and tea which can even last for a day. If you love coffee and tea, then this can be really very good choice for you. It can also be used for the brewed coffee, so this will be best for everyone’s taste.  With the retention time of temperature, the travel mug is average which will keep the drinks warm for about 5 hours and also keeps cold for 9 hours. Definitely you have your favourite drink even several hours later when you have made it a home. Some travel mugs also have the built-in-tea hook which will allow them to use with both loose tea infusers or with stringed tea bags. 

 The travel mugs are the best way to carry your favourite drinks if you are travelling in a taxi, subway and bus.  Those people who travel a lot should have this accessory with them and they can also check the travel mugs review by which they will get to know about the advantages of using the travel mug. Even the customised travel mugs are also available which the perfect items for office desk are. You can also take it anywhere you want. Those who really travel a lot, it is best for them and they can take their favourite beverages in it.  The best thing is it is very easy to clean and you really need not have to do many efforts for cleaning the travel mugs.

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What Is the Possible Future Of Gaming?

October 24, 2019 by Leave a Comment

The Following is a Guest Post. All opinions and the writing is that of the author. 

It is sometimes impossible to believe the pace at which technology evolves and advances. An example of this can be seen in the video gaming sector, where the most complicated and immersive games are being rendered at frame rates that would have been just about impossible a few short years ago.

Given advancements recorded so far, most industry watchers are prepared to swear that nothing is impossible where the future is concerned. That well might be so.

Read on for details of the tech that will have a leading role to play in the gaming industry of the future.

The game, Set And Match!

The following tech is by popular consensus pivotal to future gaming trends:

  • Living The VR Life– VR is actually decades old, rather than the newfangled invention that most think it to be. However, it failed to catch on due to cost and some technical complications. It is, however, experiencing the second coming of sorts, with technology enabling the launch of VR devices that are smaller, easier to use and much more capable than their forebears. These devices help make games much more immersive than they would otherwise be and make possible a user experience that is so thrilling it should be illegal! As technology advances, we could see the launch of VR gaming devices that puts the player right in the game they are playing as nothing else has ever done. That would be all shades of magnificent.

 

  •  That Sweet Handsy Feeling!- After falling out of favor over the last decade, handheld consoles appear to be making a comeback. The primary example of this is the Nintendo Switch, which apart from reviving the flagging fortunes of Nintendo proved beyond doubt that there still exists a largely unexplored market for handheld gaming devices other than tablets and mobile phones. Handheld gaming consoles have a decided appeal in that they make it easy to play games without being distracted by calls and texts, as is applicable to smartphone gaming. These consoles are also good for a solid dose of nostalgia, as they tend to recreate the good times of yore for a section of the gaming populace.

 

  • Nothing Secondary At All!- Makers of gaming devices, smartphones and related peripherals are always willing to introduce products that will shake up the market. This can be done by introducing a new feature, or by crafting a gaming app that is miles ahead of the competition. Well, one trend that is gaining increasing cachet is the provision of secondary screens to laptops, smartphones, gaming computers and gaming devices. These secondary screens apart from looking really cool serve an array of purposes. In gaming, they give access to free bonus with no deposit which can easily enhance the overall gaming experience. Expect to see more of this in future.

 

  • A Cloudy Day For A Good Deed! – Should cloud gaming live up to even half of the bombast of its proponents, it could easily change the world as we know it. Cloud gaming is currently achievable due to the increasing speed and reliability of mobile connections and will make it possible for folks to play the most graphically demanding games on middling hardware. With cloud gaming, downloading games and updates would become a thing of the past and games are bound to be far cheaper and more accessible. This will have a profound impact on the future of gaming.

 

  •  Get Open To The Source! – Open-source gaming is yet another developing trend that could easily be pivotal to the future of gaming. It makes it possible for just about anyone to cheaply develop games and release them. These games can, in turn, be improved or otherwise modified by others. This can in the future lead to a gaming environment that is not dominated by big-name gaming studios and is for the good.

 

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The very best Golf Breaks choose by Golf Holidays Direct

October 22, 2019 by Leave a Comment

 

The following is a guest post. All opinions are those of the author.

The best way to book a Golf Holiday with Golf Holidays Direct. The right place to travel on your golf break is always easier when booking with specialists. Here at Golf Holidays Direct we will help you every step of the way to find the very best value golf breaks for your group. Book with Confidence as Golf Holidays Direct are ATOL protected golf travel experts. 

Below are the very best 7 golf breaks in Spain for you to book your next golf holiday.

Westin La Quinta

Golf holidays to Spain are a perfect getaway for a short distance flight to find some golf in the sun. The Westin La Quinta Golf Resort is a 5* hotel that is set on the 27-hole La Quinta Golf and Country Club, this luxury golf and spa resort is 7 km from the beach and marina at Puerto Banus. 

Featuring terracotta floors, handcrafted furniture, and terraces with golf course or pool views, the posh rooms and suites offer 24/7 room service, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Family rooms provide freebies to kids, and suites and upgraded rooms add sitting areas.

Classes are available at the golf academy (fee)There are 3 Mediterranean and Japanese restaurants on site along with 2 bars, plus 3 outdoor pools, a kids’ club and free parking. 

If you are travelling to La Quinta for your golf holidays and are looking to incorporate other local golf courses, then Golf Holidays Direct are certainly able to offer packages. We work with other golf courses in the area such as Marbella Golf & Country Club, Los Naranjos, Cabopino, Santa Clara, Los Arqueros, Atalaya old & new, plus many, many more. We are certain that we can package up your perfect golf holiday to Marbella.

Hotel PYR Fuengirola 

Golfers travelling to Spain on their golf holiday always find them selves strongly considering travelling to Fuengirola. The PYR Fuengirola Hotel is centrally located and directly next to the lively promenade and the marina. The hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace. Guests will find an array of shops and other entertainment options within walking distance.

The modern and comfortable rooms come with an en suite bathroom, a telephone, satellite/ cable TV, a kitchenette, a fridge, central heating and their own safe. All the apartments are cleaned at the end guests’ stay.

The hotel offers an indoor swimming pool, a swimming pool, a snack bar, sun loungers, parasols and a solarium. Further offers include water skiing, jet skiing, motor-boating, diving, sailing, mountain biking, mini golf and golf. 

Vinicci Tenerife Golf

A golf holidays to Spain ticks all the box’s, guaranteed sunshine all year round and five championship golf courses on the Island. When booking a golf break to Vincci Tenerife Golf you will be able to take advantage of their fantastic offers which see all the courses on the island included. The resort is found in the town of San Miguel de Abona, one of the most popular destinations on the island, and is within easy reach of Adeje, Arona and Granadilla. Vincci Tenerife Golf guests will be welcomed to one of the hotel’s 125 rooms and suites, all of which are fully equipped with air-conditioning, mini-bar, internet connectivity, satellite television and direct dial telephone. Contemporary styling and modern furnishings throughout make the hotel a delightful place to relax while the levels of service are excellent. With the proximity to Golf Del Sur, the beaches and local attractions, Vincci Tenerife Golf is an outstanding choice for a golf holiday in the sunny Canaries. In addition to the excellent outdoor swimming pool and tennis court, the resort boasts the Nammu Areas SPA with sauna, Turkish bath, active pool and massage room. Contemporary styling and modern furnishings throughout make the hotel a delightful place to relax while the levels of service are excellent. With the proximity to Golf Del Sur, the beaches and local attractions, Vincci Tenerife Golf is an outstanding choice for a golf holiday in the sunny Canaries.

Contact the golf breaks specialist at Golf Holidays Direct to start planning your amazing next golf vacation today. 

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Are You An Overprotective Parent? 4 Ways To Let Go And Let Your Child Grow

September 20, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Good parents want to be involved in their children’s lives, but for years educators and psychologists have been asking the question: How much parental involvement is too much? When does trying to help your children in school, sports, and myriad other ways go too far, hurt their development, and become over-protective?
The explosive college admissions scandal seemed to answer that question. Television actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced to jail for paying $15,000 to influence the boosting of her daughter’s SAT score. Fourteen other parents in the probe have also pleaded guilty.
While most parents don’t cross that legal line, early education expert Christine Kyriakakos Martin says too much parental involvement can be harmful in a variety of ways, sometimes leading to children becoming ill-prepared for the challenges of adulthood.
“The consequences of being an overprotective parent is that your child will lack self-confidence to make decisions and take risks,” says Martin (www.youvegotthisparenting.com), author of You’ve Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting For The Early Years. “They’ll lack the coping skills to get up when they fall down from a bad experience and try again.”
Martin offers four ways for parents to stop being overprotective and promote more strength and independence in their children:
Stop teaching fear. While there are non-negotiables when it comes to teaching your child safety — for example: wearing a helmet when biking, no talking to strangers, no texting when driving — Martin says sometimes parents overprotect when they create too many boundaries, which in turn may teach children to live fearfully. “When you don’t allow them to play outside much, you’re impeding their freedom,” Martin says. “Play develops the imagination and self-confidence. Overprotective parents don’t want their children to fall down, and getting back up and brushing themselves off is a necessary component for healthy growth and development.”
Don’t be their full-time problem-solver.  Martin says many parents want to take care of all of their chidlrens’ problems and make things easier for them. At some point that needs to stop, she says, because adult life is rife with adversity and unforeseen obstacles that we must learn to deal with independently. “Teaching children problem-solving skills encourages them to be independent,” Martin says. “Learning to resolve conflict on their own and work through problems builds resilience and teaches them how to handle adversity.”
Teach responsibility. “If you make their beds and clean their room, you’re doing them a great disservice,” Martin says. “It’s about learning early lessons in responsibility. Doing these things for a prolonged time can debilitate your child and set them up for a lack of life skills as adults. Let your child take on reasonable responsibilities and let them feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Let them branch out. Sometimes parents develop a comfort zone with their child’s pursuits and restrict them when the child wants to expand. “Let your child have some freedom to make some of their own decisions about their interests,” Martin says. “Interests change, and the more varied experiences they have, the better for their ability to make decisions and adapt to different situations.”
“Parents are right to protect their children in a dangerous world,” Martin says. “But having them grow up in a bubble hurts them and their ability to deal with the world as adults. The best thing you can do for your children is to find that balance between protecting them and teaching them to be strong and self-sufficient.”
About Christine Kyriakakos Martin
Christine Kyriakakos Martin (www.youvegotthisparenting.com) is the author of You’ve Got This! Keys To Effective Parenting For The Early Years. An early education expert and consultant, Martin is the founder and owner of Sunshine Preschool in Hopkinton, Mass. She has spoken on child-development topics at national education conventions and colleges.
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5 Things Foster Parents Should Know About Navigating The Court System

September 19, 2019 by Leave a Comment
The important role foster parents have in a child’s life expands significantly when they go to court.
To make decisions in a child’s best interest, judges need good information, and foster parents ideally can provide that. Thus, foster parents having a complete understanding of how to participate in court goes a long way toward ensuring a safe, loving home for the child.
Here is a priority list foster parents should know in advance of a court appearance.
  • Be prepared. Foster parents are the voice for the child and must do everything they can to ensure that the child is heard in court. Do not come to court unprepared. The more information you bring, the better.
The judge largely depends on the foster parents’ testimony to decide what’s in the child’s best interest. The idea is to have enough information so you can answer the judge’s questions in a clear and beneficial way. To prevent being overwhelmed with documents days before court or scrambling for information, the best way to prepare is to begin keeping a journal well in advance. Taking notes about what happens in your foster child’s life creates an organized record, showing progress, behavior patterns and how they express themselves in different situations. Include school records and doctor’s appointments as well as notes about interactions between the child and their birth parents. Include highpoints, lowpoints, and milestones in the child’s development while in your care.
  • Know your rights as a foster parent. Foster parents should receive notices of all hearings. If you are not getting them, contact your social worker and/or a juvenile department clerk.
Foster parents also have a legal right to attend review hearings, usually held every six months, until the foster child receives permanency or the case is closed. They also have a right to attend permanency hearings and post-termination of parental rights (TPR) hearings. Permanency hearings have to be held before a child reaches one year in foster care, then every six months. Post-TPR hearings are held every six months until the child is in a permanent home.
  • Should you bring the child to court? This decision is often left up to the social worker. What’s most important is what’s in the best interest of the child. If the child is uncomfortable going to court, it’s worth considering having he or she write a letter to the judge.
  • Educate yourself on common questions. There’s a list of questions judges commonly ask of foster parents; some of those questions can be found on websites under “foster care hearings.” Examples: How long have you been a foster parent? How long have you known this child? What changes have you noticed in the child’s behavior or emotional state since being in your home? How is the child doing in school? Let your social worker or attorney guide you and ask them any questions you may have, including what the objective is of the specific hearing you’re attending.
  • Speak respectfully and concisely. Don’t get emotional in your discourse with the judge, and don’t throw the birth parents under the bus. The court listens best to foster parents who have tried to work well with birth families and who aren’t on their own agenda, such as getting the child to stay permanently in their home. Speak up and speak clearly, and refer to the judge as “Your honor.” Be as clear and complete as possible so the judge will have sufficient information to make a decision.
One of the most important duties for a foster parent is to act as an advocate for the child in their care. That requires the foster parent to be able to tell the court all they know to help the court decide the child’s future.
Jennifer Lynch, author of the children’s book Livi and Grace (www.jenniferlynchbooks.com), is an educator and child advocate who serves as a guardian ad litem, a person appointed to represent a child’s interests in a court case. She has worked as a special education teacher for an elementary school and as a preschool teacher. In addition, Lynch created the You Are Good brand of T-shirts and other products for sale and for donations. Thousands of the shirts have been donated to children and teenagers in the system. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Texas A&M University. 
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