Starting back to school can be an exciting yet nerve-wrecking time for any child, but for adopted children, the experience might come with unique challenges and emotions. As a parent, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s transition back to school.

Bedtime Routine

It is important that your children have a bedtime routine that enables them to have the sleep and rest they need to be able to focus throughout the duration of the school day. Setting your child’s sleep schedule back to what it was before the summer months gives them the best chance at this.

Encourage Reading Instead of Screentime

By reading to young children or encouraging them to read you are promoting a more relaxed environment before bed. This allows children to fall asleep quicker instead of engaging with a screen.

Open Communication

Going back to school can be a hard time for children. Especially younger children who have spent every day of the summer with their families. By being open with your children and encouraging them to talk about their feelings and answering these questions can help them become more relaxed about starting back.

Work on an after School Schedule

Take a few weeks to get to grips with the after-school routine then begin to create a schedule. Incorporate homework, dinner, bedtime etc. However, remember to also include downtime, although the school term has started it is still important to spend quality time with your children.

Practice Patience

Understand that adjusting to school can be a gradual process, especially for adopted children. Be patient and offer reassurance as they navigate new experiences. Celebrate small victories and provide emotional support during any challenging times.

Plan Healthy Meals and Snacks

Proper nutrition is vital for optimal school performance. Pack balanced meals and snacks that include proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods provide sustained energy levels and support cognitive function.

Address Potential Challenges

Talk to your child about potential challenges like bullying. Equip them with strategies to handle bullying and teasing, encouraging them to assertively but calming express their feelings, set boundaries, and seek help from teachers or adults when necessary.

Back to school time is chance for your child to embrace new experiences, learn and grow. By implementing these tips, you will create a supportive environment that helps your child thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Remember, your role as a parent is pivotal in guiding your child through this exciting journey.

 

On Sunday 28^th of July the Family Care team and our adoptive families had another fantastic day out, this time at Streamvale Farm. With the weather at the last event being a topic of discussion during the week Maggie and the team remained hopeful that the sun would be on our side for the day. The early morning showed patches of cloud and a mix of blue sky, but no real sign of the sunshine.

With the time counting down until our families arrived, as if by magic the sun began to shine and thankfully remained in place for the duration of the day. Our families were greeted by Family Care staff and members of the Streamvale Farm staff.

First on the agenda for the day was feeding the chickens and meeting Roberta, Harriett & Peppa at the ‘Piggy Palace.’ After a very important handwashing session, the children were then taken to the ‘Farmyard Playground’ whilst they waited on the Tractor Ride to go and feed the Deer.

The short, but bumpy ride to the top of the hill was filled with excitement and anticipation and for good reason, our families were greeted by plenty of hungry deer that needed fed. Cabbage was the main course on the day.

After returning from the Tractor Ride, next up was the ‘Cuddle Time.’ Here the children got to meet and pet some rabbits and chicks and even cuddle some puppies. As the sun continued to shine it was time for lunch. The menu consisted of sausages & chips, hot dogs and chicken nuggets & chips. Whilst the children ran and climbed at the ‘Trailblazer Playground’ Maggie put the finishing touches on the Lucky Ducky Dip and Party Bags.

A big Thank You to Streamvale Farm for hosting us. We hope everyone had a lovely day and we will see you all again soon at our next event.

 

Embrace Your New Family

Sometimes, the idea of an instant family can be overwhelming. Don’t forget that this is a completely new experience for both parents and children and even though you may have adopted a child, you are still essentially building a new family. It is essential to take the proper time to get to know each other and develop strong bonds with one another, letting your child know you will love and support them for the rest of their lives.

Be Patient and Understanding

Adopting a child can be a challenging transition for everyone involved. It is important to consider that your child may need extra time to adjust to their new home and family life. You can make this transition easier for them by not rushing too quick or expecting too much from them too soon, especially when it comes to bonding with you as parents.

Build Your Support Network

As New Adoptive Parents, you may need extra support as you navigate this new stage in life. At Family Care Adoption Services, we offer Post Adoption support services to assist you as much as possible. You can also look to other adoptive parents for help and advice as and when needed.

Create New Memories That Last a Lifetime

Additionally, make sure to take time to have fun with your child and build memories that will last a lifetime! Adoption is an amazing experience filled with joy, love, ups and downs make sure to enjoy all the special moments and create positive experiences for your new family.

Remember to Look After Your Own Health and Wellbeing

Finally, it is vital you remember it’s important to look after yourself. Make sure to set aside time and energy to take care of your own physical, emotional, and mental needs. By doing this it will help you stay strong for your family and better handle any challenges that come up along the way.

Please contact us on 028 9069 1133 or by email: email@familycareadoption.org

Family Care Adoption Services were delighted to host another post adoption family day at Belfast Zoo. Despite the poor weather conditions at times, our families were able to enjoy some quality time together and make the most the day.

The main objective of our post adoption gatherings is to provide adoptive families with the opportunity to meet each other in a fun, informal setting; for the adults to meet others who have also become parents by adoption and for the children to make friends with children like themselves.

Upon arrival, the families were warmly welcomed by our CEO Maggie McSorley along with experienced Family Care Staff Anne & Mary. The families were then invited to explore the Zoo at their own pace dodging rain showers and battling against the steep hill climb on their way to the top.

From Lions to Giraffes and Penguins to Scottish Wildcats each family was able to see the huge variety of animals who are at home in the Zoo, building up quite an appetite just in time for lunch.

The menu at the Zoo café consisted of a wide range of food from sausages and chips, chicken goujons, burgers and veggie burgers, all prepared especially for Family Care by the lovely Café staff, who opened up especially for us and our families.

After lunch it was time for some Zoo themed mask making and face painting, and Family Care would like to say a big thank you to Face Mates for coming along and being part of our event. All of the families were delighted with the activities and the children looked wonderful with their beautifully painted animal faces.

The day wrapped up around 3pm but not before Maggie made sure each child had an Easter Egg (which Maggie made sure to announce had to be opened at Easter and not on the way home in the car!)

Events like these emphasize the importance of building a supportive community with and for our adoptive families and the benefits to adopted children of meeting other children who are adopted too!

Family Care would like to thank all of our families who came along to enjoy a day at the Zoo, and we look forward to seeing everyone again for another event very soon.