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The holiday season can be a difficult time for children and teenagers in foster care, but it also provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding and creating lasting, positive memories in the life of a young person in need of some joy. Starting new holiday traditions as a foster family, and planning festive activities to help celebrate the season together can help make winter days a little bit merrier and brighter for all. But there are a few less pleasant things to consider as well. Here are some helpful tips for navigating the holiday season with foster children, and for information on how to become a foster parent in the state of Illinois, contact Camelot Care Centers today.
Validate Feelings
For children and teenagers in foster care, the holiday season may be a sad reminder that they are no longer with their biological family or could stir up negative feelings of past neglect and trauma. It is unreasonable to expect a happy attitude 24/7, even during the most wonderful time of the year. Rather than ignore the situation by painting a rosy picture and avoiding difficult conversations, allow your foster child to express their grief, and be sure to validate their feelings with care and compassion. The goal is not to offer advice or brush away the hurt. Instead, listen quietly and help your child to feel safe and cared for. Don’t force your child to share if they don’t want to. Do let them know you are there any time they want to talk or are in need of a little extra emotional support.
Fulfill Wishes
Imagining waking up Christmas morning to find nothing beneath the tree. This would be heartbreaking for any child, but sadly, it is the reality for some children in foster care. But foster parents can help keep the spirit and excitement of the holiday season alive for the children in their care, and foster teenagers, too! Now, imagine the excitement and joy as your child opens a brightly wrapped present that was picked out just for them, whether from you, Santa Claus, or visiting friends and relatives, and you will understand the difference this small act can make. Gifts can’t fix the loss your child may be struggling with, but they can help your child feel loved and not forgotten this holiday season.
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.
