How do you make your foster home welcoming for the child? This is a question that many foster parents ask themselves, especially if this is their first time fostering a child. If you haven’t had a child in your home before, you may have some questions with regard to privacy, curfews, toys, clothes, computer access, screen access, etc. You want to provide a welcoming environment for your child but you don’t want to come across as being too lenient. So here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Buy Few Things at a Time
Children outgrow their toys, clothes, shoes, etc. very quickly. So it’s better to shop a little bit and often rather than buying a whole bunch of things right when the child comes to live with you.
2. Limit Screen Time
It’s easy enough to keep a child busy and occupied when they’re watching something on a screen. But we know that this is bad for the child’s eyes and their concentration. Plus, it might even prevent the child from socializing with other children. So try to limit screen time after considering how much is needed for schoolwork.
3. Involving the Child at Home
Sometimes, giving the child chores to do at home can actually help them to feel like they are part of the home. It also helps them to develop a sense of responsibility and gives them the life skills necessary to become functioning adults. Your foster child might balk at being given chores. In that case, you can point out to them that everyone in the house does their part.
Conclusion
Overall, keep in mind that it’s important to maintain a balance between discipline and leniency. Of course, you want your foster child to develop feelings of self-worth. However, in order to do this, you may occasionally have to disappoint them in the short-term.
Contact us for more great tips to create a welcoming foster home which will help your foster child to grow and develop into a rounded adult.