Making the Most Out of Summer Break: A Guide for Foster Parents

As the long-awaited summer break approaches, it presents a unique opportunity for foster families to strengthen bonds, create lasting memories, and foster personal growth in the children in their care. Here are some strategies to help you make the most out of this summer break with your foster child.

1. Establish a Routine: Simple routines like regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and scheduled activities can provide the predictability children often need. This doesn’t mean the schedule has to be rigid—there’s plenty of room for spontaneity—but a general framework can provide comfort.
2. Encourage Exploration and Learning: Visit local museums, libraries, parks, or historic sites to engage your foster child’s curiosity about the world around them. Many community organizations offer free or low-cost educational programs for children during the summer months.
3. Promote Personal Interests: Take time to discover what your foster child is passionate about or interested in and find ways to nurture these interests over the summer.
4. Prioritize Bonding Activities: Simple activities like cooking meals together, having family game nights, or embarking on nature hikes can foster closeness and trust. Sharing new experiences can also create wonderful memories and help your foster child feel more at home.
5. Prepare for the Next Academic Year: Summer is a great time to address any educational gaps or prepare for transitions, such as moving from elementary to middle school. Consider setting aside time for educational activities that can help keep your foster child’s mind engaged, like reading, educational apps, or even fun science experiments at home.
6. Focus on Well-being: Summer provides more opportunities for outdoor play, which is excellent for physical health. Additionally, keep an open dialogue about their feelings and experiences, offering support and reassurance as they navigate their emotions and the dynamics of foster care.

As you embark on this summer journey, know that your efforts are creating a positive impact on the lives of these children, offering them not just a place to stay, but a place to grow, learn, and flourish. Enjoy the summer!

Nebraska

Michelle became a kinship Cheyenne and Elani Hoffman Cheyenne and Elani Hoffman celebrated their first year of being licensed foster parents in Nebraska in March. In their first year, they provided respite for teenage brothers and a sibling set of four, then accepted their first placement of a little girl in the summer. READ MORE HERE

Oklahoma

Anne Scalet and Dawn Quinton have been a foster family with TFI since 2014. The foster parents have shown empathy and care to all of the children that come into their home. Anne and Dawn are active in the bridging process as well, and they have helped reintegrate multiple children back into their biological families. READ MORE HERE

Kansas

Chad and LaTonya McGathy have four biological children. They have been foster parents for a little more than three years with TFI. Shortly after licensing, they did respite and then decided to long-term place the same child. During the same time, they provided respite for a foster teen girl off and on.
READ MORE HERE

Texas

Mr. Logan and Mrs. Bobbi Bailey currently reside in Palestine, TX. The Bailey family consists of Logan and Bobbi Bailey and their daughter, Liah Bailey. Mrs. Bailey enjoys spending quality time outside, decorating her home and spending time with her family. Mr. Bailey enjoys sports, outdoor activities, and spending time with his family.   READ MORE HERE

Recruitment Corner

Day at the K 2024 was a huge success as we hosted our families from Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The wind could not keep us from tailgating with a delicious meal along with snow cones, popcorn, candy, and roasted peanuts for snacks. We enjoyed face-painting, crafts, games, t-shirts, a video game truck, a visit from Slugger the mascot, and TFI personalized baseballs autographed by former Kansas City Royals World Series Champions, Frank White and Greg Pryor.

Our families enjoyed an overnight stay in a hotel, a gas card, and of course, the Kansas City Royals vs. Texas Rangers major league baseball game at Kauffman Stadium! Our favorite moments were seeing families have fun together and giving away some wonderful door prizes for our amazing families. We love our foster families!

We gave away 2 Virtual Reality Headset Gaming Systems, 3 Nintendo Switches, 4 Sets of Royals Tickets with Parking Passes, 2 Picnic Experience Packs, 1 reMarkable 2, Several $100 Gift Cards, 1 Portable Grill, 2 Taylor Swift Albums, 1 Karaoke Machine, 2 Royals Shirts and Cups Combos, 1 Coach Purse, and a $500 Great Wolf Lodge Experience. In the words of one 9 year old in attendance, “Best Weekend Ever!” We are already excited to see you next year!