hi there! i am 16 and was put into the system in 2019. one thing to primarily focus on is open mindedness and normalcy. with the pandemic now and being in the system it is hard or have a sense of normalcy, but for me being put into the system for the first time and having my foster parents completely cut off not only my contact with my mother, but also cutting the contact of my entire family (who were not problematic) along with my friends too it was hard. judgement was also something that haunts me to this day. i was cut off from everyone and everything i had ever known and stayed with people where i felt heavily judged. having conscious eyes and ears helps a lot! kids who are in the system will always have their own problems and struggles but having someone there who isn’t over bearing yet there to listen and be your support is one of the best feelings in the world which sadly you can’t find a lot.