Partaking in foster care services can be both exciting and scary at the same time. Yes, you’re going to have another individual in your home with his/her own likes and dislikes. You’re going to have to adjust to them and they’re going to have to adjust to you. You’re going to have to win over their trust, which can also take a while.
With some foster children, the adjustment might not take long while with others, it might take a while. You need to remember that each child is different and will adjust to his/her surroundings in a different way. Here are a few tips to help you out when you decide to provide foster care services:
Communication in Foster Care Services
The most important thing when you’re trying to get to know any individual is to communicate. And this applies to kids as well. Whether it’s something simple like “how was your day?” or something more complex such as “how are you feeling?” it’s important to keep the channels of communication open.
Individuality
Each kid is going to have their own set of likes and dislikes. It might be as simple as not liking Brussels sprouts. Or it might be more complicated, such as preferring to spend all their time with books instead of people. You can always gently try to nudge the child towards healthier habits (eat your vegetables, talk more with other kids etc.) but sometimes, you also have to let it go. As a foster parent, you’ll know when the time is right to broach a certain issue.
Understanding
What any child is looking for are acceptance and understanding. They want to know that they are loved no matter what they do. They want to know that someone will always be there for them. So you have to show them that they can rely on you and that you will always be there for them. Yes, you may be the person who lays down the rules (after all, you are the parent) but that doesn’t mean that you don’t care about them or accept them. As time goes on, your foster child will come to understand that they can count on you.
Learn More About Foster Care Services
Contact us for more great tips on providing foster care services.