Creating the Best Birthday Party for Your Foster Child
Despite the many rewards of fostering, there are also unique circumstances that you need to take into account. This is very true when planning a birthday party for your foster child. You may not be aware of previous trauma and bad memories that they carry over from previous birthday parties with their biological families. While you need to step cautiously, this does not mean that you cannot create the perfect celebration that is sensitive to the child’s needs. Here are some tips for making the day a success.
Get Your Foster Child Involved in the Planning
Your foster child will feel value when you ask them for their input into the birthday celebrations. This will also ensure that it is right for their personality and preferences. If your foster child has few friends, they may not know who to invite but you can reassure them that they can invite whoever they want. You may need to limit this to a set number for budgetary purposes but let them have as much control as possible. After all, it is your foster child’s special day. Find out if there is a special cake they would like. Themed cakes are popular with most children, and you can suggest ones that match the child’s current interests. Determine if there is a special activity your foster child will enjoy that you can incorporate into the party or day. This could be a game or a special meal afterwards with the family.
Deciding on Attendees
Once your child has provided their list of children that they want to invite, you can arrange invitations. If your foster child has email addresses for their friends, you can sit together to find online invitations and fill them out for emailing. If not, you can help the child create handmade invitations or you can purchase them. Either way, make sure your foster child is fully involved in deciding and selecting these.
Birthday Traditions
Nothing tells the child that they are special more than a special birthday tradition that you create. This could be breakfast in bed or having friends and family over to give presents and wish them a happy birthday. Allow the child to decide if they want to open their presents in front of everyone or to do so in private. Make it clear that this is an annual tradition for everyone on their birthday so that your foster child feels fully a part of the family.
Bad Memories
If your foster child has bad memories of past birthdays, they may be reluctant to have a big party. Keep it simple with a family meal, special cake or dessert, and presents. Be guided by the child and sensitive to their needs. If at all in doubt, speak to your foster care agency, such as thefca.co.uk, to get advice.
Culture
Be sensitive to your foster child’s religious and cultural background. Determine if it would be appropriate to include elements of this in the celebrations. This can connect the child to their identity.
Create a special day for your foster child that makes them feel valued.
