HOLIDAY NEWSLETTER [2012]
Foster Care Navigator Program Happy Holiday’s from the Foster Care Navigator Program If you’re a foster, adoptive or potential foster or adoptive family the holiday season can be both extra special and tough. Being a foster parent means you have opened your hearts and home to someone who truly needs more than just gifts under the tree. They need patience, understanding and security. This is the time of the year that we need to be careful about traditions and cultures of the children who are in our care. Be mindful of how you may inadvertently hurt the feelings of the foster children in your home especially if you have biological children. All children, especially some in foster care, tend to count gifts and this often leads to hurt feelings. We also need to pay close attention to children’s demeanors during this time. Children, when first in care, often go through depression and are withdrawn. So, being overjoyed and too festive during this time of the year can cause children to withdraw deeper in depression. As you can see, this is a double edged sword. We want the children in foster care to be happy and celebrate the season as part of our family while remembering theirs during this time of the year. In all, give hugs when needed and give space when warranted.
Best wishes for the New Year!
From our family to yours Happy Holidays!]