Parent-child interaction during foster care visits

The case-based research discussed in this article describes the variety of strategies mothers and young children spontaneously used to negotiate the complexities of foster care visiting. Nine mothers and their 24-to 48-month-old children were videotaped during their foster care visits. After each visit, the mother participated in an in-depth, audiotaped interview. Mothers and children displayed a wide variety of responses to visits. Mothers spontaneously discussed the challenges of visits, particularly separating at the end of visits. Implications for enhancing the quality of visits and strengthening services are discussed.