Fostering is one of the most rewarding roles a person can take on because it involves bettering the lives of children in need. However, just like any other role, it’s important to take a breather now and again to avoid suffering burnout. Throughout this article, we discuss a series of self-help tips for foster carers.
Set Realistic Expectations
You are a compassionate person with plenty of love to give, but that doesn’t make you any less human. This means you will make mistakes, but that’s perfectly acceptable. However, to remain at the top of your foster care game, it’s important to set realistic expectations for your own needs and those of your foster children. Here are some tips to help you out:
- Accept that you’re on a learning journey and be open to making mistakes now and again.
- Foster children may take time to overcome the wounds of their past, so don’t expect to make changes overnight.
- You are part of a wider support network for foster children, so welcome support when needed.
- You can only take care of foster children when you’re feeling charged, so take time out for your own needs.
Build a Support Network
There will be times during your fostering journey when you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, whether it’s because you’re struggling to build meaningful connections or you’re facing issues with educational engagement.
To help you through these times, it’s important to have a support network, which is exactly what you’ll have when you’re registered with a reputable agency like ISP Fostering. However, you can also turn to friends, family, and professionals for words of encouragement and wisdom.
Take Care of Your Mental and Physical Well-Being
To continue being the best version of yourself and avoid burnout, take care of your physical and mental well-being, which involves getting enough sleep, eating healthily, managing stress, and exercising regularly. As well as this, you can learn how to say no to certain requests, especially if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed.
For help taking care of yourself, call on your support network, especially your partner or close friends. These people can pop over and take care of your family by helping with homework, cooking meals, or simply playing with your foster children. During this time, you can treat yourself to some much-needed “me” time, whether you read a book, take a long bath, or squeeze in a short nap.
Ask for Help When Needed
When you have a duty of care to others, you may feel as though you’re not entitled to ask for support, but this simply isn’t true. You are part of a wider network of people who are all invested in giving foster children the best shot at a stable life, so never be afraid to reach out for support.
Foster care is a rewarding role, but it’s important to look after your own needs to avoid burnout and continue providing the best level of care. Remember, when you need help with anything, it’s okay to reach out to your support network.