How To Help Children In Foster Care During The Holidays
November 16, 2018
3 Common Challenges You May Encounter As A Foster Parent And Tips To Overcome Them
November 30, 2018
A loving and stable foster home starts with foster parents who are ready and excited to participate in the fostering experience. When it boils down to it, a loving and stable home is less about the space, and more about the family’s readiness, the general atmosphere of the home, as well as the flexibility of the foster parents. It is also important to build a network for support to ensure that everyone is getting the help they need throughout the fostering process.
1. A Prepared Home
A foster child can sense if he arrives and the home hasn’t been prepared for his welcome. From the start, the child should feel as though they are welcomed and included. They should know where their personal space is, and it should be clear as to what space they can share with the family. A foster parent should talk to the child upon their arrival, so that they understand how everything operates within the home. This sets things up for a loving and stable home from the start.
2. A Positive Attitude
Children can pick up on the general atmosphere of the home as soon as they arrive. Allowing for them to experience joy and laughter is an integral part of the experience. While not every moment constitutes a laugh, children should know that it is okay to relax and to not take everything so seriously. Laughter is a great tool for coping, and can be a great way to help your child over come those first awkward moments together. After all, a positive attitude is contagious.
3. Flexibility
Foster parents must hope for the best and prepare for the worst. This is especially important during the holiday season, when past memories may resurface for foster children, leading to more difficult days.Rather than getting upset when you have to miss a family event due to a foster child’s tantrum, a foster parent should find a way to help the child calm down, and talk them through it. Learning how to adapt to new changes and be flexible with one’s schedule is an important component to a healthy, loving and stable family home, and ultimately shows the child that you care.
4. A Support Network
While foster parenting is a lot of work, you don’t have to manage entirely on your own. Foster parents who operate a loving and stable home know the importance of outside support.They reach out to others involved in the child’s everyday life, such as therapists, teachers, and more. They keep an ongoing relationship with the foster agency and reach out for help as needed.
A loving and stable foster care experience starts with the foster parents. Having a prepared home for when the child arrives is a great start. Creating a positive atmosphere in the home lets foster children know it is okay to laugh and relax. Being thankful for all that you have and demonstrating this positive attitude is key, as well as being adaptable and flexible in uncertain situations. Lastly, building a network of support you trust is vital to providing a loving and stable foster home.
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 theCouncil on Accreditation (COA).
