Caring for a child in DFPS custody can be hard. There are many rules and requirements to follow, and some caregivers find it so difficult that they give up or stop trying. As a result, some children in foster care miss out on the benefits and fun of normal childhood activities. Whenever possible, children and youth in foster care should have the chance to participate in normal childhood activities. That’s why federal law allows kinship caregivers to make decisions using what’s called the “reasonable and prudent parent standard.”

What is the reasonable and prudent parent standard?

There are many ways to describe what a reasonable and prudent (careful or cautious) parent would do. A parent who is both reasonable and prudent makes decisions carefully and considers the benefits and the possible dangers. This helps the parent come to a sensible decision in the child’s best interest. 

When using the reasonable and prudent parent standard, caregivers must take “reasonable steps” to decide if an activity is a good fit for a child based on the child’s age, maturity, and abilities. There are many different ways to decide whether an activity is a good fit for a child. Here are a few examples of reasonable steps: 

• Have information about the child so you can make informed decisions. If you feel you do not have enough information, speak with the child’s caseworker. 
• Think about the type of activity as well as the child’s mental and physical health and behavioral abilities. 
• Think about where the activity will be held, who the child is going with, and when they will return. 
• Consider the potential dangers of the activity and what safety issues and supervision the child needs to prevent possible harm. 
• Think about all the information you have gathered and ask, “Is this an appropriate activity for a child this age?” 

This law does not apply to parental visits. For information about visits, see the section titled “What visitation rules must be followed?” This law only applies to normal childhood activities, such as sports, sleepovers, and field trips. It allows you, with the appropriate information  and training, to make decisions that let kids be kids. 

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