Let's thrive a home.

Yes, you may need to start your day with a strong cup of coffee but you can do this! Many of our families are now adjusting to a new normal for the next couple of weeks. This change can be hard on all of us but especially hard on children in foster care.

Fostering Family Ministries desires to help every family, whether you have foster children or not. This change can be a bit traumatic for children and caregivers alike. Keeping a trauma informed approach will help you in these circumstances.

Our Prayer for You:
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thanks him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His Peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6,7 (NLT)

As you adjust to school at home and less time out and about check out our Learn and Play page. We have curated links to resources for all school subjects and ages groups as well as some fun games and activities. Please share widely.

7 Ways to Thrive at Home:

1. Support. Your child still has a teacher who loves them and wants to help but it's their first time to teach in this format as well. Give plenty of grace to them, your child and yourself. Seek their help!
2. Routines Rock! Transitions are hard and fearful for children. A routine is predictable and safe. Create a new normal. My favorite trauma informed Daily Schedule is found HERE.  A very simple schedule is HERE. Remember, snack time includes water...hydration is key!
3. Play Disarms Fear. Give yourself permission to have fun with your child. Playful interaction helps us all deal with stress and fear. What is FUN gets DONE! You may need to take a break from a school task and use a Game or Activity to help your child get back on track.
4. Connection is Calming.  Build in some one on one time for each child. Give them 10 to 30 minutes to 100% direct your play with them. Connection builds trust and felt safety. This will give you key opportunities for the child to feel comfortable expressing their feelings to you.
5. Choices give security. Give reasonable choices like 2 options for snack, or lunch. Maybe the choice between one assignment or the other first. Or ask them to list a couple of things they would like to do during this school at home with you. Giving them choices gives them a voice and increases their sense of felt safety.
6. Prepare for Spontaneity. It's fun to change up the schedule but your children have had a great deal of change in the last week. That doesn't mean you are stuck in the drudgery of a new routine, however, you must prepare your children for spontaneity. Use a "Wild Card" approach. Teach them that once in a while we may have to change plans or get to do something new that's not on the routine. At that time you will use the Wild Card. For example, if you are going to play kickball in the back yard and it starts pouring down rain, you can slop in the mud or you can pull a Wild Card and give the kids the change of plan option of building a tent in the living room or baking cookies.
7. With Respect. It is a treasure to have time together in our face paced world and before you know it these children will be grown up! But in these days you may get on each others nerves a bit as you adjust. Give grace and expect respect. Often a little disrespect can be dealt with in a playful, "Are you asking or telling?" or "Would you like to try that again with respect? (said with a smile, a twinkle in the eye, and a light, playful voice!) 

If you have the ability to provide support, tutoring or encouragement, for families in the midst of schooling, consider reaching out via phone, FaceTime or other video conference mode to help our families during this time. Let us know how you can help OR if you need help. (We have video conference tools to share.)

Our partner churches are ready to serve your family and help you thrive through these coming days. Personally, I have had over 20 years of home education experience with four children through high school while having a business. I am happy to help!