Author: FosterCalgary

The holidays can be overwhelming, and it's tempting to get lost in your never-ending to-do lists instead of fully living in the moment and focusing on the joy the holiday season can bring. That's why we've put together a list of simple ways you and your foster child can create loving memories together this holiday season. Co-Parent and Build Relationships - as a foster parent, you play the delicate role, particularly during the holiday season, of building a relationship with the child at home and co-parenting with the child's biological parent(s). Connection is critical, especially for children who have experienced trauma or other difficult situations. Here are some tips for how to build memories that involve your foster child's biological parent(s) this holiday season: Bring in the holiday cheer with a baking day with your foster child and gift delicious treats to their biological parent(s). Dropping off cookies on a doorstep or sending it along on a visit can be a simple way to share holiday cheer! Create a safe space in your home for a family visit. Not everyone has this ability, but since foster families fall under co-parenting guidelines, you can still plan a holiday get-together with your…

At Foster Calgary, we understand each child coming into our care has their own unique story. Sometimes, those stories include being on the autism spectrum. Finding support for fostering a child on the autism spectrum is important for both the child and the family. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that can affect many areas of life, such as social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviour. We work hard to match each child with the best foster family, and the same goes for children with ASD. Children coming into care face their own circumstances, and we support both the foster family and the foster child. We interviewed Annabelle, a passionate foster mom who fosters children on the autism spectrum. She shares her experiences and key learnings about what foster parents should know when they decide to foster a child on the spectrum. Annabelle also highlights some of the ASD resources available in Alberta for foster parents and children. The foster parent’s name has been changed to respect their privacy and confidentiality. 1. As a foster parent, what inspired you to foster children on the spectrum? In 2014, we decided to become foster parents. Like many other foster…

I am a former foster child here in Alberta. As an Indigenous man, I am proud of who I am and my culture. My desire in sharing my story is to provide encouragement for foster families and wisdom specifically for those who are fostering Indigenous children. I came into care at birth due to health complications. My foster parents brought me home from the hospital at the age of one. I had visits with my birth family as a child, those visits came to an end because I often came back sick or ended up in the hospital following them. My foster mom would send with me a list of what I could and couldn't eat due to digestion issues, however, my birth family had difficulty following these restrictions while I was in their care. My birth family went to court when I was nine years old to regain custody of me. I think I was traumatized by getting sick when visiting them as an infant and toddler because I remember going into the judge's chambers and telling him that I desired to stay with my foster family. My foster parents made me feel accepted, I see them as my…

Amid a global pandemic, we all know this holiday season will look different from in the past. We've put together a list of our favourite ways to keep spirits bright in your home when you and your foster child and family may not be feeling your usual jolly selves. 1. Build relationships through co-parenting – As foster parents, we always need to build a relationship with the child in our home and their parents. Connection above all else is critical, now more than ever. How do we create connections when COVID-19 guidelines are in effect or with someone under quarantine? Spend the day baking with your foster child - for their biological parent(s). Dropping off cookies on a doorstep or sending it along on a visit can be a simple way to share holiday cheer! Create a safe space in your home for a family visit. Not everyone has this ability, but since foster families fall under co-parenting guidelines, you can still plan a holiday get together with your child's parent for a holiday catch up. Make use of technology. There are so many online platforms available to have an additional virtual visit. 2. Create new memories and share past ones (if…

Food, family, and fun are three words that often come to mind during holidays. This holiday Thanksgiving will look different as we celebrate in a "new normal" and the COVID-19 pandemic. As we navigate what those changes will look like for our family, it is essential to remind ourselves of the potential impact those three words – food, family, and fun - can have on our foster children. Food. That word alone evokes images of a cornucopia (literally!) of bounty: turkey with all the trimmings, side dishes galore, pies, and the age-old debate of whether apple or pumpkin is better. Preparing food with your family can be a fantastic way to build connections with your foster child, as well as teach life skills. Some foster children may also come to us with underlying food insecurities and even eating disorders. The food, smells, and anticipation of Thanksgiving could be overwhelming and triggering for them. Perhaps they have never celebrated Thanksgiving before or have never seen so much food at one meal. Food tips for you and your foster child this Thanksgiving: Communicate: Talk about what it will be like, and ask about their experiences (if they are willing to share). Participate:…

Sisters Nora*, 18, and Sammie*, 16, speak candidly with Foster Calgary about their experiences as biological children in a foster family. FC: Your family has been fostering for seven years now. Tell us about your experiences growing up as foster siblings: what were the challenges you faced and what has been an obstacle to overcome? Nora: One of the biggest challenges was the change in the amount of time Mom and Dad could spend with us. Our first placements were twin babies and they needed a lot more care than an 11-year-old. Sometimes I did resent the babies for taking time away from us, but I think that's natural even when a new birth child comes into the home. You figure out your new role in the family. Each child that we took care of quickly became my new brother or sister. Even though many of them are back with their birth families today, I still refer to them as my siblings. Sammie: I felt like I took on more responsibilities when we started fostering. But even more challenging was realizing there were going to be kids I'd connect with, and others that I wouldn't connect with as much -…