What To Expect When Fostering A Child With Learning Disabilities And Developmental Challenges
January 31, 2019
4 Myths And Misconceptions About Children In Foster Care
February 14, 2019
Choosing to foster means that you already have love to give and room in your heart to spare. Once your foster child is in your home, you will want to continue finding ways to show them love. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
#1. Make time to be together.
As simple as it sounds, making time for one another is key. When you spend time with your foster children, it shows them how important they are to you and that you enjoy their company. It can be cooking a meal together, playing a board game, or even reading a bedtime story. You can also experience something new together, such as visiting a museum or seeing a movie. Creating new experiences and sharing meaningful moments together helps your relationship to grow in new ways.
#2. Use your words to build a connection.
Find ways to praise your foster child every chance you can. Be specific and think of ways you can directly compliment them in a loving manner. For example, if they are drawing a picture of a boat at sea, tell them how much you like the colors, the fish they drew, and how realistic the boat looks. Your foster child may come from a home where they heard nothing but negative words. Speak positively to them so that they can leave your home with a sense of self-confidence moving forward. Your positive words will stay with them always.
#3. Give them a gift with meaning.
Give your foster child something they can cherish and bring with them once they leave your home. While you can purchase something at the store, you may also consider using any talents you may have, such as knitting a blanket or sweater, or simply frame a nice picture of the two of you together. A gift with meaning helps to form a stronger bond that can last long after the fostering experience is over.
#4. Use technology to connect.
Depending on how old your foster child is, you can build a virtual bond by texting them funny memes or fun music clips. The more you learn about their sense of humor and interests, the easier it will be. With that said, it’s important to give them some space. If adding your foster child on social media, be careful not to smother or embarrass them. Doing so could backfire and breed resentment. A healthy balance is key.
#5. Lend a helping hand.
While there is a fine line between doing everything for your foster child and lending a helping hand, making sure they know they can count on you will show that you care. Offer to help fill their bike tire up with air, volunteer to be a chaperone on their class field trip, or offer guidance with a difficult homework assignment. All the little things add up to show love for your foster child.
Every child needs and deserves to grow up safe and protected from abuse and neglect, and caring foster parents offer children support and stability when they need it most. At Camelot Care Centers, we specialize in higher-level foster care for children and adolescents that need extra support. We partner with our foster parents/homes to provide trauma informed care and additional services, including in-home counseling, parent support and training, tele-psychiatry, and therapeutic mentoring, to maintain children at the least restrictive, yet most appropriate level of care. Camelot Care Centers (“Camelot”) is a Child Welfare Agency licensed by the State of Illinois, a member of the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY), and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
