Fostering a child is a hugely rewarding experience that allows you to make a difference in the life of a young person. Many children go into foster care for various reasons including their familial home not being a suitable or safe place for a child. Foster children are in need of a stable and loving family environment and there is definitely something special about being able to provide that to a child in need.
When you decide to foster a child, one of the main things you will need to provide is a space of their own. You will need to make sure that the child has their own bedroom so that they can enjoy personal space and have a sanctuary to go to when needed. If you are decorating a spare bedroom in your home ready to welcome a foster child into your family, here are some things to consider.
Relaxation
Decorating with calming colours is a good idea if you are preparing for fostering a child. Many foster children are in unfamiliar situations and might be anxious and worried about the move into your home. There is often quite an adjustment period, so having a calming and relaxing space where they can go and spend time decompressing is crucial. Calming colours for the bedroom such as soft pastels are a great choice. They encourage a sense of relaxation and safety.
Play
Your foster child’s bedroom isn’t just a place for them to relax – it can also be a space for them to play and enjoy themselves. Many foster children simply haven’t yet had the chance to just be a kid and do the things that they enjoy. Because of this, it’s important to consider how you are going to facilitate this for them in their personal space in your home. You may want to get some toys and books ready for them before their arrival or wait until they are here before taking them shopping to pick out some things that they like or items that they have always wanted.
Comfort
While preparing your home for the arrival of a foster child, focus on turning it into a comforting, safe space for them as they go through this adjustment period in their lives. Even if you know that the child is coming from an unsafe situation to live with you, this doesn’t make it any less traumatic for them. Leaving their family of origin and living with somebody who is a stranger to them is a lot for a child to take in at any age.
While the best comfort you can offer is to simply be there and be a source of support for them with patience and empathy, the items you put in their room can also help. Weighted blankets or plush teddy bears that they can cuddle can really help, especially during the early stages.
Welcoming a foster child into your home is an amazing, selfless thing to do. When getting their room ready, it’s important to think about what they might need to feel safe in your home and adjust to living there.
