Creating a Memory Box for Your Foster Children
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- One of the things I've heard over and over from former foster children is that they often miss out on having keepsakes and mementos from their childhood, especially if they've been moved between several homes. Here is my (very simple) system for keeping track of mementos for each of our kids. Hope you find it helpful!
I grew up in foster care and aged out. I always knew I wanted to have foster children and have finally convinced my husband to go to an information night with me. I absolutely LOVE the idea of a memory box. I would have loved to have a keepsake like this since many of those stressful years were such a blur. If we are able to become foster parents I will definitely implement a low key keepsake box for each child. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for writing! I am so glad you liked this idea!! And best wishes on your own journey to foster parenting!!
As a former Foster Child, I am so lucky to have been adopted by the one family I ever lived with. but with that being said, I have no pictures of myself before the age of 8. This is a sweet idea and would be amazing for even families that are reunited.
That means a lot to me to hear you say this! I am so glad you found a forever home quickly, but I'm sad that you don't have pix of your younger self. That is a loss :( We have provided photo albums and memory boxes (or, in some short-term cases, memory folders) for just about all of the children we've cared for. I pray it will be a blessing to them especially when they are grown! Thank you for commenting!
I always get overwhelmed with how many papers, art work, and random "stuff" my kids bring home. I will start keeping boxes like these to place all their things. Great idea! 👍🏾
I was in foster care when I was 8 and I had a horrible experience with my foster parents :( wish I would have had someone like you who actually cares :) keep doing you the kids will forever be
Melissa Garcia oh that just breaks my heart ☹️ You deserved so much better than that. ❤️
This is so fantastic. My husband and I have just started the process to become foster parents. I will definitely be doing this.
+Jamie Lynne It's been a life-saver (or at least a time and sanity saver :) for me! Best wishes!!
I'm 16 and I'm already like planning all the cute stuff I'm going to do for my foster kids when I'm 25 lol. (The age requirement is 25 in Canada :/)
I'm 17 and already planning stuff like this to! Unfortunately you have to be 21 here in Vermont. :(
At least you have 4 fewer years
BRILLIANT! Keep doing what you're doing, you're heart is big; very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea Christy! And, this could be for any kids! Building memories and growing roots for our kids/foster kids is huge, connecting them to family! Thanks so much.
Cornelia Becker Seigneur Thanks Cornelia! I hope you are well! It's been way too long :)
I know it has been- I am still focusing on my recovery- every day is a gift- let me know when you are in PDX again- I'd love to catch up-
I love your channel. You have addressed every concern I've had about fostering so far. I am about to start my classes to become a foster parent in Florida and memories have been a big concern of mine. My family has always been about documenting memories in the form of photos (when my grandmother died, I inherited literally 10,000 photographs covering more than 100 years of history). I have been stressing (because that's all I can do before I start classes) over a portable and lasting method of keeping these little memory items (and photos) with the kids. This is a great idea. And also a great cure for the traditional blank baby book beyond the first few pages that most of us have, lol. Thanks!
Kelly Mullins I'm so glad this channel has been helpful for you, Kelly! Another problem with baby books is that they assume that you gave birth to the baby! I've thumbed through so many, and when I get to the page that says, "When I found out I was pregnant, I felt ______" or "While I was pregnant, I craved _______" or whatever. I have yet to see a baby book that is general enough that it would work for kids in foster care. So I decided to make my own, and then realized that I had no time to do it, so that's when I came up with this. Best wishes in your licensing. I pray all goes well for you and the children who come into your care.
i'm going to be coming a new foster parent i love this!! Not only for foster children to, i think it works for all kids! I know growing up my mom kept EVERYTHING and it's way to much! This streamlines it for the important things they will want to look back on
Excellent idea! I love the ease of using the boxes and the calendars.
Wow! This is an amazing idea:) love how easy and quick it can be. Thanks for sharing!
This is absolutely amazing!!! I love this!! Would be so easy to do with my girls. Thank you so much for this channel. It's so needed!!!
THANK YOU!!
LOVE this idea! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been struggling with keeping up with the different foster children books and I feel bad when they leave with no notice and I don’t have it ready yet. My first placement I was able to mail it to bio which was important because he didn’t met her until she was close to 2 years old.
I’m going to start doing this with the 2 toddlers I have now. I have not started theirs but have pictures of the last three months. Thank you for sharing this.
Great ideas! I admit that the thought of keeping a memory book seemed a little daunting. I think your approach much better. Thanks for sharing!
What a genius and loving idea! I kinda want to make some to donate to the local thrift store that benefits foster children and families in need. ♥
You need to look into project life. Its pretty much just putting pictures in pocket pages and you can add tickets and dyed fabric and all kinds of stuff. So easy to do! :)
Oh I love that! Thanks for the tip!
This channel means so much to me! I value your advice so much! We are still waiting for an infant phone call for our first placement. How long did you wait before your first placement? 😀
Lauren E.G. Freeman That is so encouraging to hear. I'm sorry I haven't posted much lately! We only waited six days for our first placement. But we were licensed for a sibling set of two (now three!) up to age five (now up to age 10). So there is, sadly, no shortage of children in our licensing range... Best wishes on your wait and whomever ends up joining your household!
Hi Christy! Thanks for taking the time to record these videos! I will be certified soon. As a single woman, I've decided I can best serve by taking drug affected/addicted infants from the hospital. Since I won't be fostering to adopt (I'm retired) I'm told my placements will generally be with me no longer than 6 mos. Due to the age I won't have most of the things you have in your memory boxes. Other than whatever I can get from the hospital, pics and the monthly planner what else might I put into a little ones box?
That's a great question! In addition to the things you mentioned, I would include a few of their first outfits, anything from their bio parent at the hospital (we had a baby once whose mom gave him a Dr. Seuss book when he was born and wrote a little message in it), a pacifier (if they use one), and really anything that tells them about their first months. Also... a picture of you! Someday, they will want to know who cared for them when they were born. I can guarantee it will be good for them to know they were loved and well cared for as newborns. Sadly, not all kids are sure of that. Thanks for the great question and for giving yourself in this way! Bless you!
Thanks ve r.c u good idea
If you send the box with the child when he/she leaves your home do you think it might be a good idea to make copies of some of the items to save in case it gets lost in the shuffle and the child maybe gets in touch with you later on? Also would you think it appropriate to place things such as cards or photos from the birth family or would it be better to keep that separate? I love your boxes.
That's a great idea, to keep a copy. I haven't but will start!! And in our case, we would include cards from bio family... But you have to gauge your child. Our experiences have been very positive...
I like foster care memory photos
Any ideas on where to find these boxes? I don't live near a Costco. What size are they? Thanks for your help!
+Amy Rabon Hi Amy! Here are the boxes I use! I found them on Amazon, so you should be able to order them if you want. Thanks for asking! www.amazon.com/Creative-Options-Project-Boxes-Pack/dp/B00S8IYCBO/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1449169122&sr=8-15&keywords=creative+options
Great suggestions Christy! Thank you so much! By the way, how do I access all of your videos? I've found about 20 of them on TH-cam but only the same 20 but it looks like you've posted over 50 and I'd love to view them all.
Hi Dale! Thank you! You should be able to see them all here: th-cam.com/users/afosteredlifevideos
For all the magazine pages, school WS, tickets and such instead of leaving them in a box I just grab a glue stick and a spiral notebook and glue it onto the next page. That way it doesn't take up as much space, and not risk of things getting list or wrinkled.
Great idea!
Thank you for sharing videos about Foster Care. I manage a page "Foster Care Kids" on Facebook where I spread awareness on Foster Care. I'll make sure to share your videos
+Vivian Rebstock Thank you so much for sharing my videos! I'm so glad you're finding them helpful. I am not on FB right now, but when I reactivate my account, I'll look for your page! Best wishes, Christy.
I AM GOT OVARIAN CANCER ON 2013. I want to be a foster mother. I am living at Miami, Fl. But I have not information to be a foster mother.
So sorry to hear about your battle with cancer. But I'm glad you're interested in becoming a foster parent! Here is where you can find out more info on becoming a foster parent in Miami: www.miamicountykids.org/foster_care_adopt.html
i searched this up because i was going to be a foster child but my mother rang to cancel the pick up