Summer brings exciting changes—longer days, school breaks, vacations, and new activities. For many families, these shifts are part of the season’s charm. But for children in foster care, changes in routine can feel unsettling and sometimes overwhelming.
Children and youth in foster care often thrive on predictability. For those who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant life changes, knowing what to expect each day can create a sense of safety and stability. Summer, with its frequent schedule shifts and lack of school structure, can disrupt this sense of security.
Understanding the Emotional Impact of Change
Even small changes can bring up big emotions for children in care. They may feel anxious about what comes next, sad about missing school friends, or even uncertain about whether they’ll continue to have a stable home during the summer months. For some, summer might also trigger memories of previous transitions, which can be emotionally challenging.
As foster caregivers, it’s essential to recognize that these reactions are not misbehaviour—they are a response to uncertainty. Children in care often need extra reassurance that they are safe, cared for, and that their routine will return.
Building a Summer of Stability and Fun
So how can caregivers make summer enjoyable while providing the security children need? It starts with a thoughtful approach that balances flexibility with predictability.
Establishing a Flexible Summer Routine
While school is out, keeping some daily routines in place can help children feel grounded. Simple, consistent touch points—like regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, or morning check-ins—provide structure without being rigid.
For example, starting each morning with a shared breakfast or ending each day with a bedtime story can offer comforting consistency. These rituals remind children that, even when other parts of life shift, they can count on you to be a steady, reliable presence.
Preparing Children for New Experiences
Summer often brings new activities like camps, visits with family, or vacations. For children in care, unfamiliar experiences can cause anxiety. Giving children plenty of advance notice and involving them in the planning process can ease these concerns.
Consider using visual schedules, calendars, or countdowns to help children understand what is coming next. Talk about new activities in detail—what they might see, hear, and do—so they can feel more prepared and less overwhelmed.
Empowering Children Through Choices
Providing children with small, age-appropriate choices helps them feel more in control during a time that might otherwise feel unpredictable. Letting them choose between two parks to visit, which ice cream flavour to try, or which book to read before bed gives them a sense of agency and builds their confidence.
Supporting Emotional Expression
Summer transitions can stir up complex feelings, from excitement to fear to sadness. Create safe spaces where children can express their emotions without judgment. Let them know it’s okay to feel upset about changes and that their feelings are valid.
Sometimes, children may not have the words to express what they are feeling. Pay attention to non-verbal cues like changes in behaviour, sleep patterns, or eating habits. These may signal that a child is struggling with the adjustments.
Planning for Smooth Transitions Between Activities
Moving from one activity to another—like leaving the park to head home—can be difficult for some children. Giving gentle reminders, such as “In 10 minutes, we will start packing up,” can help prepare them for the change. Offering choices about what comes next can also ease transitions.
Maintaining Connections to Support Services
Many children in foster care benefit from ongoing support, including therapy, tutoring, or mentoring. It’s important to keep these services in place throughout the summer when possible. If in-person sessions aren’t available, look for virtual options to maintain consistency.
Creating New, Predictable Summer Traditions
Summer is also a wonderful time to build new traditions that children can look forward to each year. Whether it’s “Pancake Fridays,” movie nights under the stars, or a neighbourhood walk after dinner, these simple rituals help foster a sense of belonging and create positive memories.
Recognizing the Power of Presence
Above all, the most valuable thing you can offer a child during summer transitions is your steady presence. Being patient, listening attentively, and showing up consistently sends a powerful message: “You are safe, you are cared for, and I am here for you.”
Transitions will always be part of life, but with the right support, children in foster care can learn to navigate change with confidence and resilience.
At Satori Foster, we are here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can make summer a season of growth, stability, and joyful connection.
