Bernie -N- Me: Finding the Right Branch of Communication for Your Foster Child

Bernie -N- Me is a comical story about the author and a real life baby bird (Bernie), and how, from that interaction with Bernie, he (the author) was able to develop an entire concept of the Branches of Communication between Foster parents and their children. The author used humor and creativity to share a critical message to Foster parents to empower them to connect with their children through different ways of communicating. The bridge between the author’s love for the animals and nature, in addition to his instinctual desire to love and nurture children, is brilliantly displayed throughout every page.

Being a Foster parent is an honorable role that comes with challenges. Children who are in foster care need to feel stable, safe, and secure. Using the Branches of Communication, families can connect or even reconnect through trust, compassion, and awareness to the child's needs. The Branches of Communication will foster that relationship from the time the child enters the home, until the time the child transitions out. 

Note to Parents: Even though we try to create freedom within the structure we provide for the Foster child or even our own children, sometimes we forget about that freedom that's in the best interest of the child… and sometimes, it's the freedom just "to be”.