Foster Care Support Group
Foster care is a system by which a certified, stand-in parent(s) cares for minor children or young peoples who have been removed from their birth parents or other custodial adults by state authority. Responsibility for the young person is assumed by the relevant governmental authority and a placement with another family found.
We have had a 15 year old boy in our home for one year. It looks like he'll be returning to his mom before Christmas. This is a good thing and something he and his mom have worked hard for during the last year and a half. This is our first placement and we don't really know how to say goodbye. We want to commerate this time and celebrate his return as well as express how much he means to our family. Since the return will likely be right after school is out for the holidays, this falls during his birthday and Christmas. I don't want it to appear like we are throwing a bunch of presents at him and them sending him home.
Do any of you have a good tradition when a child leaves your home? Looking for memorable ways.
So far, we chose an ornament for our tree that reflects him. We let him know we will think of him every year when we decorate it. And we have taken pictures together. Would love to hear from parents who have been there and done that--especially with an older child.
I've made photobooks for kids before as a way of helping them remember the good times we had and to help them incorporate their time in foster care into their life story. I used a pretty easy and inexpensive service through Walgreen's and I was very happy with the result.
I'm 17 years old, my parents kicked me out. I have no money or food.
Can we talk? please, contact me by mail lera.buriachok@gmail.com