The Gift of Normalcy For Christmas

Close your eyes and think about your most cherished Christmas memories. Decorating your family’s tree, opening gifts on Christmas morning, or caroling through your neighborhood may come to mind. Maybe the excitement of baking holiday cookies with grandparents, attending the candlelight service at church or gathering around the fireplace on Christmas Eve are what you remember best. These moments are magical, and we believe everyone deserves a childhood full of memories.

We want children in foster care to have these opportunities, too. We provide high-quality training for prospective caregivers about foster care rules, but we also prepare them to be the loving, nurturing family kids need. We focus on connection and show how one of the most important things they can give kids with a history of trauma is the gift of “normalcy.”

We want them to play an instrument, join a team, have sleepovers, and go on vacations. We want kids to be kids, and we want them to have the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Eddie Castlow is a PCHAS Foster Care & Adoption Case Manager in Cypress, Texas. We asked him to share about the importance of normalcy and what families can do to provide normalcy for children in foster care. “It’s important to create an environment that feels inclusive and warm because some kids haven’t had consistent holiday traditions, others may have trauma triggered by the sights and sounds of the season, and most will have feelings of loss or sadness because they can’t be with their family for the holidays.”

Eddie suggests parents include children in planning and celebrating. For example, he encourages them to let children help decorate the Christmas tree, choose a recipe to bake together, read about Jesus' birth in Luke 2 for the family, or shop for families or friends. “These simple acts can make children feel valued and part of the family. If parents allow kids to take the lead (and don’t require them to do things the way the parent is familiar), they may see how their child celebrated in the past and make the child feel more comfortable and connected.”

Parents can also use a common tradition like writing a letter to Santa Claus to learn more about the child and their preferences. “After they write their letter to Santa, ask your kids to make a list of holiday things that mean the most to them,” Eddie shared. “Their lists may be like yours, but they might also surprise you. Kids may name anything from food to events to religious celebrations to how, where and when the family opens gifts. Once you have their list, do your best to work their favorite traditions into how your family celebrates.” 

Kids in foster care need families that are committed to helping them build lifelong memories. There is a shortage of foster families in Texas, so if you know the value of connection and want to help kids create memories they’ll never forget, we want to get to know you. Connect with a Foster Care & Adoption Guide at 281-324-0544 or fosteradopt@pchas.org today! 

Stories of Hope: Read inspiring stories of foster and adoptive families committed to ensuring kids are safe and feel loved. pchas.org/news-and-events/stories-of-hope