6 Creative Ways to Remember a Foster Child Once They’ve Left Your Home

When a child leaves. It’s that thing that keeps SO many from getting involved with foster care because “what if it’s hard to let them go?” {which makes me sad, but that’s a another day and another post}. Since reunification is always the goal of foster care, what can you do to remember that sweet child (whether young or old) that you’ve grown to love so much when it’s time for them to leave?

Handprint / Footprint Canvas

This is something we have done since day one, even with the respite care kids that have come through our house. Each child we love dearly and is special to us for so many reasons, we wanted to remember each of them by name, the date they were with us, and how old they were {you get the general idea of how this works by the photo, but crossed out their names in the photo for privacy sake}. It’s such a cute and easy way to remember each child. It’s also a great conversation starter when you have guests in your home and ask what the canvas is for and who the handprints/footprints belong to.

Shutter Photo Board

This idea is something we have done since the beginning as well. It’s easy (and oh, so cute). Simply, find an old shutter like the one we have (we found it at an antique store) and paint it. Get some of the smaller clothes pins and hang a photo with that child on the shutter. It’s another great way to remember each child that comes through your home and is a beautiful addition to your wall. We snap a photo on the first day that the child arrives and print it at Social Print Studio {take $5 off your first order with SPS by using the code: 4ASSRBWSW9}. Within a few days, it’s shipped to your doorstep and you’re ready to hang that photo on the shutter. Sweet, sweet memories of these precious kids.

Mama Necklace with Initials

My favorite pieces of jewelry are from Lisa Leonard Designs. I have been buying from her for over 10 years and everything is beautifully handcrafted by Lisa and her team. My favorite Mother’s Necklaces are found here and I know you’ll love them too. 

Family Tree with Fingerprints

Pinterest is such a handy tool isn’t it? Like this idea I found on there recently. Such a sweet and simple way to remember the sweet kiddos who are in your home.

Christmas Ornaments

Get creative — make them yourself, get the child involved, or shop to find that perfect one.

Wooden Peg Figurines with Child’s Name

I saw this adorable idea on the Dropping Anchors blog. How adorable are these wooden figurines? Each one has the name of the child on the bottom of them. Great to display on a mantle, bookshelf, or any other place that you’ll see them often and remember to pray for each.

May is Foster Care Awareness Month. Each day, either in a post or on my social media, I’ll be sharing a piece of our heart and why we love being caregivers. I’ll also be sharing some of the harder things that relate to foster care and adding in a few giveaways and fun posts as well. Make sure to follow along on the blog, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. If you’re a foster parent, I’d love to connect. If you’re thinking about it and feel the nudge on your heart to maybe find out more info, I’d also love to hear from you.

A few other foster care posts you may want to check out:

7 Foster Care Blogs That Are Worth Hiding in the Bathroom to Read

May is Foster Care Awareness Month!

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