[Graham]

As we all know, the holidays are stressful for many, and multiply that ten fold for children placed from foster care. Their holiday memories are often traumatic and even life-threatening. As you prepare for the run up to the season what rituals, events, stategies, or even tricks, have you developed to help them through this time, and perhaps find some joy?

Graham
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[louise]

what others do.

I am counting our blessings right now. Except for my own lack of good health, all is well at our home. The children are thriving and seem to really be in good spirits. This has not always been the case, in years past we and they have struggled with demons from previous placements and histories.

we are a few years into our adoption journey and i think this does make a difference. We have created many traditions and rituals that seem comforting to the children and seem to diminish the need for severe acting out.

One of the more special traditions, is on Christmas Eve we light a candle for "the stranger who may need shelter". Each of the kids can light a candle (or a few!) for the people they are missing, birthmothers, fathers, first families...the list can get quite long. In the process of including thoe our children are missing and honoring both the person and the child's need, we seem to accomplish a sense of inclusiveness and tremendous comfort for our children.

Louise.

[Supersport]

I have just sent my adoption application in, hoping to start training this January. I have wanted to adopt for well over a year, but rather than "jump" into the process I have dragged my feet makind sure every step of the way that my husband and I were completely comfortable with our decision and confident in our abilities. Now Christmas is here and I want nothing more to wake up Christmas morning with my husband and our child(ren) and follow through on our own family traditions, ones that we and child(ren) are comfortable with. I guess the reason for my post is to say how sad I am that our time hasnt come yet. In Gods time not ours I guess.