Tips for fostering teenagers
Teenage years are times of change and growth. From hormonal shifts and physical and mental development to academic decisions, young people need support and guidance from someone they can count on.
Fostering teens has unique challenges, but having a positive impact on a young person’s life is incredibly rewarding. As a foster parent caring for teenagers, you’ll work with them at a pivotal period in their lives. You’ll provide stability and continuity and help them gain valuable skills, like how to build a trusting relationship and self-reliance.
Here, we share some helpful tips from our experience as a successful fostering agency in Cheshire, in preparation for when you come to welcome a teenager into your home.
Establish trust
Trust is the foundation of every important relationship, and is especially significant in a foster care context. Teens in care often have a history of broken promises, disrupted attachments and feelings of betrayal. Rebuilding trust as a foster parent is the first step to creating a supportive and secure environment
Be authentic
Like other teenagers, foster teens can detect when adults are being “fake”. Teens want to feel comfortable to be themselves with you, so it’s important to be yourself when you’re with them.
You can share relatable experiences with them and offer practical ways to overcome challenges like those they are facing.
Don’t take it personally
Teenage bodies in puberty undergo changes with increased hormones causing development but also mood swings.
Foster teens are often adjusting to changes on top of trauma, making this time in their lives even more intense. This offers foster parents a chance to show empathy and coping skills.
Providing compassion, calmness and patience can show them they can trust and rely on you for consistent support in what can be a chaotic time for them.
Learn their interests
The more you learn about what your foster teenager enjoys, the more ways you can support their interest.
Consider what sports they like that may need equipment, what books they like to read or whether they appreciate music. Driving them to activities, supplying resources or simply letting them talk about their interests can strengthen your relationship.
Communicate
Always keep communication lines open. Ask the teenager you foster for their opinion to encourage a response and dialogue, but always be careful not to pry into their personal lives. Start slowly with safe topics that are comfortable, like asking how their day at school was.
Respect privacy
It is vital that you respect the privacy of the teenager you foster. If the door to their room is closed, always knock before entering and never read their communications like emails, phone conversations and texts. Unless you have serious concerns regarding their safety, it’s never a good idea to search their rooms or belongings.
If you’re interested in providing foster care to a teenager, you can read some common misconceptions in our blog “Myths about fostering teenagers – debunked”, or get in touch with our dedicated team at Beacon Fostering today to find out what we offer.