I got a belated Christmas present today that was awesome. Some Austin New Church families volunteered to make Christmas baskets for all the foster families at my agency. I assumed I wouldn't get one since I don't have any kiddos yet (I was sick and missed the party when they were handed out). Then today my caseworker came to do the monthly home visit and brought me a basket! It totally made my day.
It can be difficult to know how to support foster and adoptive families. My go-to help offer for young families is always babysitting, but that is actually counter-productive for foster/adopt families (they need time to bond together). Offering to bring dinner is super, but can be hard to coordinate. It also means you show up at the family's house, which doesn't work unless you know them fairly well. The same goes for offering to bring them groceries. All really helpful things, but all requiring a certain level of friendship.
The Christmas basket that I got was a themed gift--movie night! There was a tub of different flavors of popcorn, a jiffy-pop skillet, a bunch of hot cocoa and spiced cider packets, snowman bowls for the popcorn, and even a Christmas movie! I thought it was such a creative present, and so kind. Who doesn't love movies and popcorn??
And then, of course, my brain went buzzing off thinking of other baskets you could make. Here are some ideas that popped into my head:
1. Breakfast basket! Make pancake mix (or buy it), include syrup, sprinkles/whipped cream/etc., a spatula, maybe an apron. You could even put in Sunday comics or a family devotional.
2. Back-to-school basket! Most foster kids (and kids in general) could use more school supplies, especially if they are changing schools. Package them in fun ways, and include notes of encouragement and/or Scripture.
3. Basking Basket! If the kids are girls, put together a little spa assortment: small nail polish bottles and manicure-type tools (I have no idea what those would be, but hopefully moms with daughters will!).
4. Backyard Basket! This would be great for summer: water balloons, maybe an inexpensive lawn game or something, a hose attachment, bubbles. Basically stuff that would turn a backyard into a water park. =)
5. Bonding Basics Basket! There are lots of inexpensive games/books/etc. that encourage (in a playful way) getting to know each other. You could even make these yourself if you are creative. If you have kids, encourage them to help on this; I bet they would come up with cool ideas.
Those are just a few things I thought of off the top of my head (that started with the letter B). I encourage you, if you know a family who is fostering or adopting or preparing to, do something. It's a weird time for that family, I promise. And while some communities are catching on and throwing adoption showers and similar events (which is great), that's not always the best or only option. Because there is so much uncertainty involved, it is often best not to celebrate with a big event until the child is home. And, of course, once they're home, you'll need to give the family space to connect, so throwing a big event won't be ideal then either. That can make it really hard on both the friends, who want to help and celebrate but don't know how, and on the family, who may feel ignored, slighted, or just out of place. So if you can find a creative way to celebrate with them and help them to bond together as a new family, please do!!
No comments:
Post a Comment