Foster Children and Your Extended Family During the Holidays

I don't know about everyone out there, but I'm tired. The 25th can't get here fast enough for me. I keep saying how we're scaling down the Holidays next year or that we'll be prepared early. Everyone around me just smiles and nods because they know I've said that before. I am not done shopping yet! How about you?

But, before you head out to that family get-together, please remember to pre-teach your foster and/or adopted kids some basics, like manners or how to accept gifts - even if they get a sweater. Be a little selfish this season and prepare your foster children and your extended family before a big get-together. It may save you on some sanity and/or embarrassment.

I think my little foster son will either be excited for everything, or be very honest with his feelings about everything. So far he thinks all gifts that have entered our home are for him, even though we've told him differently. He just keeps talking about the items as if he's heard nothing we've said; it's either really cute or really annoying depending on my stress level.

What tips would you like to pass along?

Here's what one experienced foster parent shared on another blog comment -

"If he’s old enough to talk, you need to find out what traditions he already has and try to include some of them in your family’s Christmas. Little things to you, like whether there is an angel or a star on top of the tree, can be very important to him.

Ask him what he thinks Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be like and talk to him before so he’s not confused or disappointed. My foster child was afraid of/dreaded Christmas because she knew it was a day when “everybody is going to be drunk and start fighting”. Knowing it was different at our house helped her enjoy the preparations for the holiday. It’s not just the toys–Christmas can be very hard on kids. Some even feel guilty because they are well off and worry about siblings and other family members. It may not have been perfect but it was the only love they had. ~ Cathy

What great advice! Any other ideas? Click "comments" below and share.