How To Create A Safe And Stable Home Environment For Foster Children

Foster children need one thing above everything else — security. Many foster children come from broken homes where they are moved around regularly. They may be lacking a set daily routine, such as eating dinner together as a family or having a regular bedtime. Rather than relying on the comfort of habit, they are in “survival mode,” living moment-by-moment. While it may take some adjustment, there are ways to help foster children feel a sense of safety and security in a stable home environment. Here are a few tips to help you and your foster child get started.

Create a safe, personal space for your foster child.

The first step before your foster child arrives is to create a space where they will feel safe and welcomed. While you may know little about your foster child before you meet them, use your best judgement along with their age to provide a bedroom where they can relax and feel comfortable within your home. Knowing that this space to call their own will be waiting for them after a long day will help jumpstart the concept of security for your foster child.

Find a predictable routine.

Let’s face it — most humans benefit from a consistent routine. We like knowing when we will eat, when we are allowed free time to do as we wish and when we must get work done. Sit down with your foster child and invite them to build a schedule with you. Consider a window of time for completing homework after school. Create a set dinner time for the family, so they know when to expect a meal. Give them time for watching television or doing other fun activities, such as playing video games or basketball at the local park. Discuss ideas for weekend activities, and make a list of a few things you want to try. The more clarity your foster child has the more stability they will feel in their new lives.

Celebrate their creativity.

Give your foster child choices as far as how they want to decorate their room. Encourage them to pick out items that match their personalities and interests. Give them time alone with art supplies and encourage them to create something new. When they make a good creative choice or draw something beautiful, praise them! Put their artwork on the fridge or frame it and put it on the wall.

Give them choices.

Talk with your foster child about the idea of responsibility and earning freedom of choice. If they do a good job helping with chores, allow them the privilege of deciding what’s for dinner. If they work hard to finish their homework, suggest they choose the family movie for that evening. Not only is it a great idea to give your foster child choices, but letting them earn rewards and privileges encourages children to maintain positive behavior within the household.

Providing a safe and stable home environment for your foster child isn’t difficult. Create a loving open space, so they will feel welcome when they arrive. Work together with your foster child to create a predictable routine. When your child expresses creativity, praise and encourage them. Lastly, give your foster child choices wherever possible. If you work together as a team, you can build a safe and stable home together.

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).