7th of June 2018

It’s that time of year again! Father’s Day is just around the corner and all of us at Trinity Youth Services want to express our greatest appreciation to our amazing foster fathers!

The special role you play in a child’s life creates a life-long, positive impact that will help our youth become successful, caring adults. For everything that you do to take good care of your family, we commend you for stepping up to serve our children and for being positive role models who go the extra mile.

As a dedicated foster parent, we know that your first priority is taking great care of the children in your home. We realize that you have busy schedules and may often put your needs at the bottom of your to-do lists to provide the best of care to your family. While having a strong, healthy family is your main objective, there are some things you can do to take care of your family and your mental health at the same time. Here are a few of our recommendations:

Set Aside Time for Laughter

All too often, the demands of raising a family can be overwhelming and can lead to burn-out. In order to handle a demanding schedule, you need to step out of your daily responsibilities to uplift your mind, body and spirit. One way to accomplish this is including laughter throughout your day. According to a study, laughter has many health benefits. Watching a comedy, talking to someone with a great sense of humor, or reading the comics can lift your mood, increase endorphins and reduce stress.

Choose Your Food Wisely

Do you ever get up in the morning and feel lethargic? When you have a busy life, your body needs the right fuel that will help get you through the day. When you choose healthy food options, you will feel stronger, more energetic, and you will also be exhibiting positive eating habits for your children. Creating a healthy, yet delicious food plan each week can help you feel better and maintain a more calm, healthy mind and body.

Practice Thinking Happy Thoughts

Although having a family is one of the greatest gifts one can have, unmanaged stress can lead to unhappy thoughts and unhealthy behaviors. Check in on your thoughts, especially the ones you have when you first awaken. Pay close attention to any recurring thoughts that don’t feel good and replace them with thoughts that make you smile. Practicing choosing good thoughts for at least 28 days can help you feel happier, and a lot less stress. If you need additional help, learn about the Emotional Freedom Technique, a unique self-help tool that can help reduce tension and create more peace.

For more tips on foster parenting, self-care and raising happy families, sign up for our newsletter by entering your email address at the bottom of this page.

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Florence Edwards, Foster Care Marketing Specialist
Florence has a strong commitment to helping foster youth and their families thrive and live successful lives. A former foster youth, Florence obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and is a certified Holistic Life Coach, motivational writer, self-help author and celebrity interviewer. Beyond the Trinity Youth Services blog, Florence’s articles can be found in numerous platforms including Foster Focus Magazine, Heart & Soul Magazine, BET Centric and Huffington Post. A passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community, Florence continues to educate, support and mentor foster youth throughout Southern California. Email: fedwards@trinityys.org | Phone: (888) 346-9645