There is something so heart-warming about being a foster parent for children who need the love and support of a family. Sometimes being a foster parent is temporary and other times the commitment is long term for two or more years, or until the child reaches the age of 18. In either case, these children are placed with loving foster parents who are there for them in what is probably the most difficult time in their young lives.
That Little Something Extra
Sometimes it takes that something extra to help break them out of a depression or feelings of anxiety. Maybe that family trip you had planned to sunny Southern California would be just what these kids need. There’s nothing like bright sunshine to lift their spirits. In fact, there is so much to do you’ll never get it all in, but you can surely try!
Permissions Needed
The one thing to be aware of before heading off to get passports and visas is that you will need to get travel permissions from the local authority which can be arranged through your Fostering Agency. They will help you through all the paperwork you need to complete and explain the process of travelling with kids in foster care.
Freebie Adventures in SoCal
This is probably going to be one of the first things those kids ask to do. Can you guess what it is? You’ve got it! They want to go swimming in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean that are so totally unlike the beaches in the UK. Even at the height of summer there are few beaches in the UK with water warm enough to be even remotely considered comfortable, but throughout the entire year in SoCal, the water is warm, and most beaches are free. You may pay dearly for parking if you’ve rented a car, and snacks might cost a bit, but that’s the total of what you’d spend.
Too Many Attraction Parks to List
Known as the home of the world-famous Disneyland, this is one theme park the kids will probably beg to visit. Then there’s Knott’s Berry Farm, often voted the number one theme park in SoCal, and of course you’ll want to see:
- The San Diego Zoo
- Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego
- The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach
- Universal Studios Hollywood
And those are just samplings of all the attractions and theme parks the kids will love.
Memories They Will Cherish Forever
When children are placed in foster care, they often feel lost and disconnected from everything they’ve ever known. By giving them fond memories of time spent in a foster home, you are helping them build memories they can carry with them throughout their lives. Sadly, there are many families in distress but that bit of extra care you show these kids will stay with them forever, always being a memory that there really are people out there who genuinely care about them. It gives them trust in life that they may otherwise fail to achieve. You don’t need to spend a small fortune because many things are free, but the time spent in sunny SoCal will surely brighten their days.
