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Any foster carers?

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Comments

  • I would avoid any stereotypical ideas about what's suitable for boys and girls, but I'm sure that's been covered in your training.

    Yes they just said 'make it nice for all'

    So I'm thinking just a plain colour with bed, it has build in wardrobes and side table, table for computer and a tv also. They could put their own touch on it I guess. Have to see how I get on with the room still in painting process.
    The day I had my Beautiful son is the day everything came together for me. For someone so small he done so much and made me complete.
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    Yes they just said 'make it nice for all'

    So I'm thinking just a plain colour with bed, it has build in wardrobes and side table, table for computer and a tv also. They could put their own touch on it I guess. Have to see how I get on with the room still in painting process.

    Have you discussed putting a TV and computer in the bedroom? I could see that being inappropriate.
  • purple12
    purple12 Posts: 304 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    What ages are you fostering for? We didn't have a TV/Computer in the child's bedroom but then, we don't have a TV/Comp in our bedrooms so it wasn't unusual but use of computer particularly social networks can be a particular issue for teens (birth family contacting them - scope for much distress) - the children have all been able to use the PC in the lounge but that's where our PC is. Always able to walk past and show interest :) - but equally they can always see what we are up to so it's just the way things are in this house :)


    Again, depending on the age, but they all really liked the night lights in the bedroom (even the 11/12 year old).

    As for decoration, the room is cream with light blue carpet - but any kids make/choose their own posters pretty soon after they arrive. I also made signs for the bathroom with them and we had a sign on our bedroom - so they knew what was what.

    It's good to get into a pattern asap. It's really hard sometimes because you just feel sorry for the child and the situation they come from but if you are too lax at the beginning with things like bedtime, it's not easy to gain that back again..

    And all the children that have been placed with us arrived in their school uniforms with no other clothes etc. Luckily, we live opposite a Peacocks so we've been able to stock up at least for the first night before going out shopping for clothes.

    And we always have spare toothbrushes!

    Good luck with it :)
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    purple12 wrote: »
    What ages are you fostering for? We didn't have a TV/Computer in the child's bedroom but then, we don't have a TV/Comp in our bedrooms so it wasn't unusual but use of computer particularly social networks can be a particular issue for teens (birth family contacting them - scope for much distress) - the children have all been able to use the PC in the lounge but that's where our PC is. Always able to walk past and show interest :) - but equally they can always see what we are up to so it's just the way things are in this house :)
    )

    That's definitely one of the things I was thinking about as well as avoiding conflict over watching inappropriate TV programmes.
  • My children have been in foster care (my ill health) and they have gone from school to foster carers on more than one occasion.
    I would not put TV's or computers in the room to start with as they can both cause problems.
    A simple clean tidy room which they can make their own for the time they are there is better.
    Walls that they can put posters or their own artwork on are far better than fancy wallpaper.
    Some of the children will be stressed and may act out that stress and if you have made the room 'pretty' you may be demoralised if the child doesn't agree
    The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
  • Oldernotwiser
    Oldernotwiser Posts: 37,425 Forumite
    My children have been in foster care (my ill health) and they have gone from school to foster carers on more than one occasion.
    I would not put TV's or computers in the room to start with as they can both cause problems.
    A simple clean tidy room which they can make their own for the time they are there is better.
    Walls that they can put posters or their own artwork on are far better than fancy wallpaper.
    Some of the children will be stressed and may act out that stress and if you have made the room 'pretty' you may be demoralised if the child doesn't agree

    I also agree with this and would add that it would be a good idea to make sure that the paint is very washable and there's nothing valuable to be broken.
  • Have you discussed putting a TV and computer in the bedroom? I could see that being inappropriate.

    Yes there is a TV in there at the moment, no computer but the TV is on a computer table. Agency are happy for TV to be in there but clearly not a computer.
    The day I had my Beautiful son is the day everything came together for me. For someone so small he done so much and made me complete.
  • That's definitely one of the things I was thinking about as well as avoiding conflict over watching inappropriate TV programmes.

    That would all depend on the child and I'd talk about this with my SW before the child came and do what they thought was best.
    The day I had my Beautiful son is the day everything came together for me. For someone so small he done so much and made me complete.
  • Alikay
    Alikay Posts: 5,147 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I foster sibling groups up to10 years old. We have twin beds (bunks are generally not considered suitable for our age group) The walls are cream and a nice green/blue which is picked out in the blind and I have coordinating bedding: Some girly sets plus stripy ones for boys and non-girly girls! No TV, computer or consoles in the room. In fact no toys in the bedroom except teddies and books as I want them to sleep when they're in there! I don't keep a lot of spare stuff in but we've got a 24 hour ASDA with big clothing dept. a couple of miles away and friends who'd dash off and pick me up necessities if we had an emergency placement.
  • GavB79 wrote: »
    You were actually extremely rude!

    Emm yes of course I was [rolling eyes]
    The day I had my Beautiful son is the day everything came together for me. For someone so small he done so much and made me complete.
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