For many, Christmas is a time that’s better spent with family and friends. Sadly, for lots of foster children it can be emotionally challenging because they don’t get to spend it with their families.
Whether or not you’re a foster carer, there are numerous ways that you can help bring joy to a foster child at Christmas. After all, it takes a village to raise a child.
What can you do as a foster parent over Christmas?
In an article we shared last Christmas, we explored some ways that you can navigate the holiday with a foster child. They include:
- helping the child feel more connected to their birth family;
- being attentive to their emotions;
- involving them in your family traditions;
- being prepared for when things don’t go to plan; and
- creating new traditions with your foster child.
The biggest thing to remember is that your foster child is likely to miss their family even more at this time of the year. Because of this, it’s important to be mindful of their emotions and support them in ways that could help them feel more connected to their family. This could include listening to their stories, adopting some of their traditions and helping them create gifts for their loved ones.
How you can help if you’re not a carer
Donate to a foster care charity
Charities like Anglicare Southern Queensland support the most vulnerable in the community by providing them with services to assist them during their times of need. As a registered charity, we are asking the community to donate to our Christmas Appeal, where funds raised will help provide children in care, and their carers, the special Christmas they deserve.
By donating to a foster care agency, you can provide children and young people with the opportunity to experience a Christmas of joy and belonging. Donations can provide:
- a special Christmas gift for children
- opportunities for children to explore their passions
- groceries and essentials to support a foster family
- short breaks for foster families to experience a ‘family holiday.’
Be there for foster carers
Often, Christmas can be just as stressful for carers as it is for the children that they care for. Between balancing the chaos that’s associated with the Christmas season and the emotions of the young people that they’re caring for; they may be likely to experience an extra sense of pressure.
If you personally know a foster carer, make sure to reach out to them and offer a helping hand or listening ear. What might seem like the smallest deed to you could mean a whole lot more to a foster carer.
Become a foster parent
Another way that you can make a difference to a foster child at Christmas is by becoming a foster carer. There are many options available. So, even if you lead a busy lifestyle, there are shorter-term carer arrangements, like respite, available. Respite care is a great foster care option as it gives long-term carers the opportunity to take well-earned breaks. Especially around Christmas time.
To find out more about becoming a foster carer, check out these free resources. Alternatively, to apply to become a carer, click here.