There are over 40,000 foster families in the UK, and this number grows year on year. These families offer their homes, but also their unconditional love, support, and empathy to children from different backgrounds. Fostering allows you to make a hugely valuable impact on a child’s life, possibly even changing their whole future. But it’s challenging, and you’ll need plenty of support if you want to be successful at foster parenting. Here are some tips all foster cares need to succeed.

Enjoy Family Activities

One of the best ways to welcome a new child into your family, and help them settle quickly, is to involve them in family activities. Play board games and videos together and enjoy family movie nights and big family feasts.

Get Out of the House

Parenting is often easier out of the house. When we’re at home, kids can get bored, we all get cabin fever, and days can seem to pass slowly. This can be even harder with a new face. So, get out. While you might want to spend a day or two at home to avoid overwhelming your foster child, getting out and about and having some fun as soon as they are more comfortable is a great idea. Go to the park, head to your favourite family attractions, or just go for a walk together as a family.

Create Easy to Stick to Routines and Traditions

Foster children can come and go fairly quickly. It can be hard welcoming new children, helping them to settle, only to find them gone, and replaced in quick succession. Having routines and traditions, like family mealtimes, a weekly trip to the park or a regular family movie night can make it easier for a new person to fit in, and easier for your family to get used to them.

Build a Support Network

There are plenty of resources, such as thefca.co.uk for foster carers. These give you plenty of information and advice. But you’ll also need the day-to-day support of friends and family. Make sure your family understand why you want to explore foster parenting, and that they support your decision, and keep confiding in them throughout your journey.

You might also find it helpful to connect with other foster carers, both online and at real-life events. No one will understand your situation better than other people going through the same things.

Be Open

If you want a new child to settle with you, you need to be open with them. Remember, you are new to them too. Creating a family book to introduce them to everyone without overwhelming them can be a great start, but you should also talk to them, and encourage them to ask questions about your home and family.

Know Your Limits

As a foster carer, you don’t have to say yes to every child. If you know that you won’t be able to cope with children with additional needs or health issues, or you don’t have the energy to care for a baby, say no.

Many foster carers foster multiple children and build relationships that last long after the child has moved on. It can be rewarding, and a wonderful thing to do for other people, and there’s no reason you can’t be a success.