Approaching every school summer holiday I resolve to get ahead, have things planned. Don't get caught unawares as I usually used to.
Result; no change. The last day of term - the summer term especially - still creeps up on you unannounced, camouflaged by end-of-term exam stress, sorting out if your foster child is staying with you throughout or not, stocking up, booking days out and travel.
And if you're going abroad for your summer vacation, good luck. We took a foster child to Spain a few summers running and it was great, but we resolved after Brexit to go no further abroad than the Isle of Wight. However if you do need guaranteed sun bear in mind it's a long haul day even if it's a short haul flight. Whatever your plans, enjoy!
Every school holiday in fostering - even the 'short' half term breaks - follow the same pattern.
Your child spends the first day 'chilling', luxuriating in the bliss of freedom.
Day two, up goes the shout "I'm bored!"
And besides all the standard day-to-day duties of the foster parent, you are now an entertainments officer.
You offer organised activities, saying;
"There's a playgroup/football club/cricket/golf/pony riding/swimming/rock climbing thing organised in town."
To mixed response. When I say 'mixed response' I'm talking somewhere betweem "You're joking!" and "No chance".
Jobs, to earn extra pocket money, often get some traction. "Jobs" such as accompanying me on the dog walk, which gets a taker now and then, or cooking the evening meal (aka making a huge mess in the kitchen for muggins to clear up). They fill another day.
I think I've learned to do nothing in the morning, but talk up what's planned for the afternoon (the 'something to look forward to" ploy.
They can whittle the morning away on tech or TV while you hoover and peg out a wash.
Know what's my jewel in the crown? There's an old field near us we can walk to, and take the dog. It's got a medium sized tree near a shallow stream. I bring a carrier nag with some snacks in it (aka "a picnic") and they'll stay all day. Making up games, getting wet, climbing a bit of the tree, snacking. Shrieking as the dog goes for a splash.
Laughing, running, lying on their back in the sun.
They don't want the day to end.
I don't either…
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