If there is one thing that will help you create peace in your home as a foster carer, it’s having a strong routine. It is your job to set this up in a way that works for everyone, which will always need some creative thinking! Thankfully, there are loads of things you can do to make life easier, and here are the best tips to help.
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Use Visual Reminders
The best tool in your kit will always be the family calendar. It’s really helpful to have a big, visual reminder in a high traffic area in your home. It’s even better if everyone has their own space and can write on it as and when they need to. You can update events on the go and people will always be able to see exactly what they have in the day ahead of them.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key when looking after children. It doesn’t matter whether they are foster children or kids that already live with you, they need you to show them what their routine should look like so they can learn essential self-management skills as they grow up. This means taking charge and setting boundaries by showing up and being consistent.
Talk About Disruptions
If there are going to be any changes, for instance, something different in the usual daily agenda, then it is important to talk about it as soon as it comes up. This way, you can help the children prepare in the mind for the change and this will make sure they get a handle on any big feelings that happen as a result.
Don’t Forget Fun Time
One of the great things about fostering in Birmingham is that you have a world of fun on your doorstep. There are always activities to be found and hidden treasures to discover together. Having dedicated time for fun and recreation is a must for foster families (and all kinds of families in fact). So, make sure there are some family planned days out in the month as well so everyone has something nice to look forward to. It will help them to stay motivated with things like school and chores, and make sure that people have a fun activity on their mental radar too.
Get Organised
While it might feel as though there is never enough time, it is important to stay as organised as possible. This means things like getting clothes ready for school the night before, packing bags, and making lunches are all easier when done outside of the busy morning rush. Plan smartly and use your time wisely, and everything else will become so much easier. Foster carers who make space for proper planning have a better time overall and it takes the stress away from pivotal moments like when a child is getting ready to go to school. There is often a bit more tension in the air during things like this, and the more you can to do help yourself and them, the better!
Creating a routine for busy Birmingham foster carers is a non-negotiable thing. Make sure you know where you’re going and who’s coming with you so there are fewer surprises and tensions.
