The term self-care has seen increased coverage in the media over recent years, as people are prioritising their own mental needs. As a foster carer, your calling is to provide a stable environment to children who have experienced all types of trauma in their lives. There’s no denying that being a foster carer is one of the most rewarding careers, but it’s important to take care of yourself to ensure you can provide the highest level of care for your foster children. Here are some tips you can use.
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Making Room for Self-Care
Being a foster carer means that children in care have to always come first, but taking care of your own well-being isn’t selfish. Every single person needs a minute just to stop and relax, so start by giving yourself permission to take a small break. Communicate with your partner and find a suitable time when you can have a solitary breather to enjoy a coffee – a short ten minutes will do the trick.
Once you’ve had your little time out, your foster children will thank you for it because you’ll be in a much better head space.
Write a To-Do List
There will likely come a time when your to-do list becomes overwhelming, which is a one-way path towards a stressful life. Therefore, you should create a series of physical to-do lists, which will help to alleviate the pressure. By putting together a to-do list, it’s easy to see what time you have for running errands, and when you’ll have the opportunity to spend that all-important time bonding with your foster children.
Keep Connected with a Support Network
There has been plenty of research carried out to demonstrate the important role that healthy relationships have on positive mental health, so make sure you stay connected with your support network. This will involve staying in touch with friends and family, who can offer you words of advice or encouragement.
Your loved ones aren’t the only people that can support you on your foster carer journey; you will usually have a social worker and an entire agency such as orangegrovefostercare.co.uk at your disposal. They will be well-equipped to answer any questions you may have.
Exploring Your Passions
Even though you’re a foster carer, it’s still important to stay connected with your passions. For example, if you enjoyed reading and painting before you started this journey, make sure you have time for these activities. You can even turn your hobbies into excellent bonding opportunities. For example, you can share your passion for painting with your foster children, and they will love the chance to spend quality time with you.
Keeping Energy Levels Up
Exercise is another important ingredient when it comes to positive mental health, so make sure you’re making room for exercise in your to-do list. A great way to do this is heading for a walk to the park with your foster children.
You have an important role to play as a foster carer, but it’s important to remember about taking care of yourself. The tips outlined above will help to keep stress levels down and allow you to provide higher levels of care.
I think as parents, we always make that decision to sacrifice everything for that child which I’ve learnt since being a parent, that is not the way you do it. You will eventually burn out and that will not only affect you everyone around you. I realise that self-care is just as important as caring and loving your child. It is something to be admired for because your child will see ahappier you and they will learn to self care too.
I sacrfice a lot for my children, and it took my husband or my mum to make me listen and take some time out. I am much better now and it is easier
I think whenever you are looking after children, whether it is as a foster carer or parent figure, it is very easy to forget about self-care as life can be so busy.
This is very true, it is something I am guilty of doing
hats off to all foster carers – a very rewarding experience – self care is so important
I agree and self care is so important.