One of the most rewarding things about being a foster parent is developing a loving and trusting relationship with your foster children. Of course, early experiences can make this challenging for some kids, but hang in there. With patience and love, you can build trust. Here are 5 points to keep in mind.
Be Consistent
Establish regular routines, and make sure your actions match your words. Foster children need stability. They’ll feel more secure when they know what happens after dinner, and what the consequences are for completing or not completing your homework.
Spend Time Together
Hanging out together gives you a chance to build bonds, gain confidence, and work on your communication skills. Enjoy each other’s company with family activities and one-on-one time. Eat family dinners and plan weekend outings.
Show Affection
Be open with your emotions. Let your foster child know how much you care about them, and how grateful you are to have them in your life. Hold hands and hug. Praise them for their positive qualities and for making an effort. Bake their favorite dessert or send them a funny card for no special reason.
Admit Your Mistakes
You don’t have to be perfect. Let your foster child know that you value their feedback, and you’re willing to make amends when you get something wrong.
Ask for Help
You don’t have to go it alone either. Turn to your foster care agency when you need information and resources to help you take care of your foster family. Reach out to other foster parents for mutual support, and tell your family and friends what they can do to help.
Conclusion
Contact us at 2INgage if you want to take better care of the kids in our community. We oversee care and services for children in the foster care system in Region 2 of Texas, including foster care and adoption information meetings.
