Jo Ann Wentzel

It Begins and Ends with Family Jo Ann Wentzel

It Begins and Ends with Family is a book written by parents who fostered over 75 kids, mainly teen aged boys and often eight at one time. The book relates the experiences of a foster parent and some of the discoveries made about why and how to foster. These parents learned that everything comes down to families. It starts with how children are raised and what type of family dynamics are present in their natural family. It continues with what the foster family can do with these children once the dysfunctional family unit has spoiled them. It ends when the foster family has done all they can to undo any harm done and start that child on the right path. Family impacts the situation when the child returns to their family of birth and needs to fit in again but, often with a whole new set of rules and values. The real key to calling this experiment a success is when these children grow up and have relationships and children of their own. So it truly has everything to do with family. Our house was for those who had so many behavior issues that it was our house or detention. We had some of the so called 'worse kids' and some of the most damaged. We know every child we fostered was not a success, but we can still offer advice since difficult kids demanded unique parenting methods. We hope you enjoy the descriptions of some of the kids we fostered and their specific issues we tried to solve. After working with all types of kids each with their own different challenges, we are sure you will enjoy the antics and anecdotes involved with many years of working with kids from many Midwest counties.