The Shore Walk
The Shore Walk - Group Session. Next class starts in October.
What changes for you
You will know what to expect when the phone rings, even before it does. You will know which questions to ask and what you can say no to.
You will hear about real behaviors, even the ones that are rarely mentioned, so you are not caught off guard later on.
You will move from wondering if you are meant for this to asking if you are ready, which is a very different question.
You and your spouse will talk about things most couples do not discuss until after a child is already living with them.
You will feel confident turning down a placement that is not right for your family, without feeling like you have let a child down.
You will know if your answer is yes, not yet, or no. Any of these is a good outcome.
Before you step into the water, you first walk along the shore.
Many people who consider foster care or adoption start with paperwork and training classes, but never get a real sense of what daily life with a child from a tough background is like. The Shore Walk gives you that honest look first.
This is not a recruitment class or licensing training. Instead, it is a three-session, honest conversation about the foster care system, what it truly involves, and whether this path is right for your family, led by someone with real experience.
What we cover:
Session 1: Understanding the System – How foster care works, the roles of caseworkers, agencies, and courts, why children enter care, and the most common misconceptions families have.
Session 2: The Reality of Parenting in Foster Care – What trauma looks like day to day, the emotional challenges that most training programs do not cover, how to handle visits and case plans, and the real impact on your family and marriage.
Session 3: Is This Path Right for You – Honest reflection on your readiness and capacity, the questions most families do not think to ask, and what your next steps could be, no matter what you decide.
Best for: Individuals and couples considering foster care or adoption who want honest preparation before starting licensing and are ready to ask real questions before making a decision.
Format: Three group sessions online through Zoom, with open discussion and Q&A.
What you leave with
• Three take-home guides, including the questions to ask before you say yes to a placement.
• A private thirty-minute session with me afterward, to use within three months, for the questions that are only about your family.
• A group of six to eight families who are exactly where you are.
This is for you if
You are seriously considering fostering or adopting and you want the real picture before you commit.
This is not for you if
You are already licensed.
Investment: $350 per person or per family.
For many families, The Shore Walk gives them the clarity to move forward with confidence or to realize that now may not be the right time. Both choices are valid. What matters is making the decision with open eyes.
Disclaimer: Low Tide Lighthouse provides educational guidance rooted in lived experience not therapy, legal advice, or licensed professional services of any kind. Services are delivered remotely and available nationwide. Please consult qualified licensed professionals in your state for legal, mental health, and casework needs specific to your situation.