Making Summer Memories as a Fostering Family
- oliviawilson46
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
How fostering during the summer holidays brings special moments of joy and care - and how support from Fostering Rotherham helps make it possible.
Every summer is different, because every child is different
School holidays look different in every home, too. When you’re fostering children, they often involve balancing summer fun with routine and emotional support.
That’s because, for children in your care, the school holidays can be full of exciting experiences, and sometimes a few additional considerations for carers. There might be days out, later bedtimes, or time with extended family. There may also be more family time with birth parents or relatives when children have more time outside of school.
The holidays can be a time of change for children, and our foster carers play an important role in helping support children through this. They help children process their feelings and stay emotionally regulated through a time that can feel less structured and predictable.
Holiday payments help carers say yes to adventures
We know that summer brings extra costs, for days out, activities and special treats. That’s why Fostering Rotherham offers holiday payments to support foster carers during the summer break. These can cover anything from activity days and trips away to entry fees for attractions or ice creams on a sunny afternoon.
This support means carers can say “yes” to creating joyful memories that will stay with them and the children in their care, long after the summer ends.
And, where it’s appropriate and in the child’s best interests, birth families can sometimes be part of those shared experiences too! This help can create moments of connection that strengthen the child’s sense of belonging.
Here’s what some of our foster carers have done with the children in their care over the holidays:
"We've had a glorious summer and spent some amazing days with the Fostering Rotherham team. The Olympics was a perfectly awesome ending with both the kids and the fostering team covered in paint!"
“The summer holidays are a great chance to give our children new experiences further from home. We've had a great time feeding otters, swimming in the sea, and trying out new play parks. It's been lovely to create happy summer holiday memories for the children in our care.”
“Spending time abroad with our children has been so lovely this year! It's been calm, relaxing and beautiful!”
“We are packing in as many awesome memories and experiences as we can this summer.”
Flexibility and understanding make all the difference
Above anything else, foster carers emphasise the importance of routine to help maintain a sense of calm and familiarity during the holiday. They share how being flexible and understanding makes all the difference in managing any ups and downs.
For some children, sticking to familiar patterns at home after family time helps them feel safe and at ease. Others may benefit from a spontaneous day out that gives them something positive to focus on.
With the right support, foster carers can help children in their care experience a summer that’s settled and fun.
Interested in fostering or want to know more about how we support our carers? Visit our website to learn more, or book a call back with our team.
