Making a foster child feel at home can come with its challenges. If you’re finding it hard to bond with and create an emotional connection with a foster child, don’t worry. Most likely, the child has been through a lot in the past. It may take them a while to warm up to you and the new circumstances. But there are several things you can do to help establish and build that connection. Not knowing how to connect with your foster child makes you feel nervous. They may not communicate with you in a way that you’d like in the beginning. This is normal, so don’t worry. This journey is about creating healthy relationships for your foster child. It’s also about establishing trust:
Spend some quality time with them
It’s important to set aside some time for your foster child. Listening to and being around when they’re having dinner or doing homework isn’t enough. It’s important to set aside time for quality bonding. It may be something as simple as cooking a meal together. Creating a safe space is a wonderful way to connect with your child and build up the relationship. If you want to take things a little further, do the activity at the same time every week. This will help establish a routine. This type of structure is great for a child in a new environment.
Listen to your foster child
Effective communication isn’t one-sided. If you want to help open up communication with your foster child, try listening to them when they want to talk. It may be difficult for you to hear what’s going on in their mind. They may even tell you about the troubles they encountered before they became a part of your family. Still, it’s important for a foster parent to listen and respond appropriately. You want the child to feel as if they can confide in you and you are there to listen to them.
Give them praise
When your foster child exhibits positive behavior, encourage them with a reward. This teaches the child how to control their behavior. It also shows them you’re willing to praise them for good behavior. This will hopefully improve your relationship. It doesn’t matter how big or small the achievement is, praise them still. This will have a great impact on their sense of self-worth and confidence.
Fostering a child is a noble endeavor. But, it isn’t always peaches and cream. Follow the tips in this guide to help you build a better relationship with your foster child. Learn more about fostering a child and other needs by contacting us as soon as possible. We will ease you through the process.