Adorable little girl mimicking her foster father.
Communicating with your foster child is very important when they first move into your home. Even later on, it’s good to keep the channels of communication open. Not only does this help to maintain harmony in the foster home, but it also helps the child to feel heard. Indeed, it gives them a sense of safety and security which may have been missing from their life previously.
However, it’s not always easy to develop a good rapport with your foster child. They may not be willing to open up to you right away. You’ll have to persevere and let them know that you are there for them if you want them to speak to you freely.
Understanding the Foster Child’s Point of View
Children are often afraid of punishment and judgment. Of course, no one wants to lose their phone time or be grounded in the evenings. But more than this, children also want you to think well of them. They want to convince you that they are doing their best at school and in other areas of life. Also, they don’t want to disappoint you.
Believe it or not, they may be very sensitive to the idea of being judged, especially if they’ve been through some trauma. Plus, if they’ve been moving a lot from one foster home to another, then they may be very quick to flare up if they sense a tone of judgment in your voice.
Being Positive and Patient as a Foster Parent
So it’s a good idea to approach your foster child with as much positivity as possible. There are always going to be times when you might feel upset/annoyed at something that the foster child does. This is natural and normal. No one is going to live up to your expectations all the time.
Learn More About Keeping the Channels of Communication Open With Your Foster Child
With a foster child, it’s necessary to be more patient and to remember that they may have been through something traumatic only recently. It’s only by genuinely refraining from judgment that you can develop a rapport with the child.
Contact us for more information about developing a good relationship with your foster child.
