Staying Organized as a Foster Parent of a Child with Special Needs
There’s no denying that foster parenting is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with challenges, especially when you’re raising a child with special needs. Among other things, taking care of a child with extra needs requires impeccable organization and planning.
It’s important to identify efficient strategies for staying on top of everything to maintain a healthy, happy, and nurturing environment for your child. From decluttering to planning meals, Homeschooling Dietitian Mom has rounded up the most effective and cost-efficient ways to keep your lives organized and minimize stress along the way:
Declutter and Organize Your Space
A clutter-free house makes it easier to think and move. It’s no secret that caring for a child with special needs can be messy. Start by decluttering and organizing your living environment to reduce stress for your child and yourself.
Your child’s room is an excellent place to start. Then, you can move on to the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and other spaces. Having everything in its rightful place will make it easier to access the essentials when you need them while also making the space feel less overwhelming in general.
Tidy Up Your Documents
Raising a child with special needs requires lots of paperwork, from medical records to therapy appointments, educational programs, and more. Staying organized means that you must keep track of documents, reports, legal papers, and other important information.
A simple way to accomplish this is to create a filing system for each of your children. Be sure to label each file according to the document's nature and put them in one place. You’ll notice less anxiety and stress if you can find what you need quickly and easily.
Further, you can streamline your life by scanning and digitizing your paper documents using optical character recognition (OCR) technology. This will allow you to convert files into fully editable PDFs and search, edit, and organize your documents with just a few clicks. In fact, if you want an OCR software option, here’s a great place to start!
Nail Down Your Kids’ Schedule
If you’re fostering more than one child, you know how challenging it can be to keep everyone’s schedules organized. One strategy is to use a family calendar or whiteboard and note each child's activities, appointments, and meetings. You could also prioritize important events and establish routines to bring some predictability to your day. Involve your children in the planning process, and hype them up for upcoming events or activities.
Plan Your Meals
Cooking for a large family can be time-consuming and stressful, but meal planning can save you time, money, and stress. Plan your meals one week in advance and make a grocery list around your plan.
Meal planning can help you shop efficiently, reduce food waste, and keep healthy meals ready for your family. Batch cooking and freezing portions can also ensure you always have something nutritious and easy to prepare on hand.
Succeed in Your Work
If you have a remote job or run a business from home, you must find a way to balance your work and family life. Set aside specific hours for work and stick to them as closely as possible. Communicate with your family about when you’re working and when you’re available.
Moreover, use your work breaks to check in with the children, play, or simply relax. It’s crucial to remind yourself that you don’t have to do everything. Learn to delegate tasks, and don’t hesitate to invest in caretaker services!
Wrapping Up
Raising a child with special needs as a foster parent is not without its challenges, but it’s also very rewarding when you approach it with a strategy. You’ll notice less stress and easier caregiving duties when you stay organized and plan ahead.
Remember to establish routines, keep a clean home, organize your documents, strike a work-life balance, and implement the other tips above. You’ll quickly create a nurturing and structured environment for your foster children and yourself!
Alyssa Strickland created millennial-parents.com for all the new parents on the block. Alyssa believes the adage that it takes a village to raise a child, but she also thinks it takes a village to raise a parent! Millennial-Parents is that village. Today’s parents can be more connected than ever, and she hopes her site will enrich those connections. On Millennial-Parents, she shares tips and advice she learns through experience and from other young parents in three key areas — Education, Relationships, and Community.
There are three (3) types of fats and oils. But what is the difference, and are some all “bad” and some all “good?”
Not really. It's all about balance.
The word “fat” is a general term, the scientific term being “lipid.” Lipids include natural oils, waxes, and steroids. All oils are fats, but not all fats are oils.
Let me explain.
Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature, because of a higher percentage of monounsaturated and/or polyunsaturated fats. The “unsaturated” part is what makes them liquid. Fats are solid at room temperature because of having a higher percentage of saturated fats.
There is no oil or fat that is strictly saturated or unsaturated. All oils and fats are a combination of saturated and unsaturated parts.
The more saturated a particular fat is, the higher the melting point. “Melting point” refers to the temperature at which a substance will melt. For example, butter has a melting point of about 90 degrees F. This is why butter is solid at room temperature. On the other hand, olive oil, which becomes partially solid in the refrigerator (40 degrees F), will melt once you put it at room temperature, around 70 degrees F.
Are some fats healthier than others?
The unsaturated fats are more “heart healthy.” However, our bodies need some saturated fat to be healthy. Thus, limiting your saturated fat to 10% of total calories from fat is considered optimal.
Another crucial point is that certain types of polyunsaturated fats are anti-inflammatory. For example, the omega-3s are anti-inflammatory. In contrast, the omega-6s are proinflammatory, if there are too many of them in the diet. The ratio is important for good health. An ideal ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 is about 4:1. Thus, omega-6 fats are essential, but balance is important.
Below is a list of fats/oils that are categorized by the type of fat they are primarily composed of. Fats are not composed of all one or the other. For example, olive oil has 10 grams of monounsaturated, 1 gram of polyunsaturated, and 2 grams of saturated fat. Olive oil starts to get solid in the refrigerator. Canola oil, on the other hand, has 9 grams of monosaturated, 4 grams of polyunsaturated, and 1 gram of saturated fat. Thus, canola oil stays liquid in the refrigerator.
Sources of Mainly Saturated
Butter
Coconut Oil
Lard
Beef Fat or Tallow
Shortening (Artificially Saturated using a scientific process known as “partial hydrogenation”)
Best Sources Monounsaturated
Olive oil
Canola Oil
Avocado Oil
Nut Oils (Almond, Cashew, Macadamia, Pecans)
Peanut Oil (peanuts are classified as legumes/beans)
In a future article, I will go more in-depth about each individual type of fat. All fats are essential to good health.
I will also discuss in future articles the differences between Omega-6 and Omega-3 oils. They are both important, but ratio DOES matter.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3s can be therapeutic in treating children with autism and ADHD, especially if they are deficient in the diet. Stay tuned for more…
Other Posts of Interest by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom
Did you know that one in seven adults suffers from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Common IBS symptoms include:
Lower abdominal pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Bloating
Altered bowel movement (constipation and/or diarrhea)
GI upset sometimes characterizes this condition
Research conducted at Monash University suggests that the best way to alleviate the symptoms associated with IBS may be to limit a group of small chain carbohydrates (such as sugars and fibers) that may be poorly digested. This group of carbohydrates, known as FODMAPs, is well tolerated by most and, in fact, FODMAPs feed healthy gut bacteria.
But for those individuals who do not fully digest these molecules, they enter the large intestine where fermentation causes undesirable symptoms.
The low FODMAP diet has gained popularity for its usefulness in reducing symptoms associated with IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders. So, what exactly are FODMAPs?
FODMAP is an acronym that stands for:
Fermentable
Oligosaccharides (legumes)
Disaccharides (lactose, milk sugar)
Monosaccharide (excess fructose)
And
Polyols (sugar alcohols)
Some common foods high in FODMAPs include
Apples
Peaches
Pears
Onions
Garlic
Wheat
Barley
Rye
Mushrooms
Sugar-free gum can trigger IBS-related symptoms because it contains sugar alcohols, like erythritol, which are high FODMAP
A diet low in FODMAPs may improve your IBS
Removing problem foods has been shown to improve IBS symptoms by 70-80%. And many foods can be identified in the short-term as not being problematic, thus, making the long-term removal of foods less burdensome.
The low FODMAP diet is a temporary elimination diet rather than a lifetime prescription. The elimination phase is about 2-6 weeks and involves the removal of all high-FODMAP foods from the diet, followed by the gradual reintroduction of these foods by FODMAP category.
It is important to work through the reintroduction period with a registered dietitian for guidance on appropriately reintroducing foods and how to accurately assess tolerance.
The objective of this method is to identify which foods trigger symptoms. Adhering to a low FODMAP diet for a period of time can be difficult but there are a variety of resources that may be useful.
The really good news is that not every high FODMAP food causes symptoms in everyone. This means that after the elimination phase, you can slowly re-introduce foods. If there are no symptoms, you can continue eating those foods.
The slow re-introduction of higher FODMAP foods back into the diet is important in pinpointing which foods trigger your individual symptoms and in what quantities.
Do you wish you could replicate some of the fun meals you have enjoyed at restaurants? Eating dinner at home does not have to be boring. Meals that taste great and are fun to eat need not become a long and complicated project. You also don't have to spend a lot of money to prepare foods for your family that rival restaurant quality fare. Keep reading for how to make DELICIOUS dressings and dipping sauces at home!
Let's Get Creative with Condiments
You're probably thinking that to make food like what you would get served in a restaurant requires that you run out for all kinds of complicated ingredients.This is not the case! In fact, if you get into the habit of stocking some basic ingredients, you can whip up all kinds of tasty and exciting sauces and dressings to liven up any meal.
Pantry Essentials
Here are some staples to keep on hand when you want to turn an ordinary meal into something creative and fun.
Mix all ingredients. You may need to warm the honey slightly by popping it in the microwave for a few seconds. Use a rubber spatula to transfer to ramekins for dipping chicken fingers or other fun foods.
How to Make Spicy Mayo:
Spicy mayo is a fun way to kick your fries up a notch with a zesty dipping sauce. You can also spread it on your sandwiches or have it with sushi.
Start by sauteing the onions in a saucepan. Add all other ingredients and stir well. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Use a basting brush to mop your homemade barbecue sauce over chicken before grilling. You can also bake it in the oven if you like.
How to Make Italian Dressing at Home
¼ cup olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
One smashed garlic clove
One teaspoon dried thyme
One teaspoon black pepper
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and cap tightly. Shake well. Let your dressing marinate for at least a half an hour before serving it with a fresh salad. Shake again before each use.
How to Make Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Feeling like a shrimp cocktail? Whip this up in a hot minute.
Heat an oven to 500°F (260°C) and line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Roast the peppers (whole) for about 20 minutes, or until nearly blackened on all sides. Remove from the oven and either wrap the peppers in aluminum foil or place them in a sealed bag and allow them to steam for a few minutes.
In the meantime, toast the almonds in a dry pan over medium-low heat, until golden brown. This will take about 5 minutes, take care not to burn the nuts. Set aside.
Now unwrap the peppers and remove and discard the skin, stems, and seeds.
Place the flesh of the peppers into a food processor or blender along with the toasted almonds, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and chili flakes.
Blend until creamy and smooth then taste and adjust the flavorings, adding more lemon, garlic, salt and chili flakes to taste.
Once cooled, store this salsa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
My husband is a professional cook, and I am a dietitian. We work well together, and this is one of the main reasons we decided to do this blog thing. When I first started blogging in 8/2018, I wasn’t sure what exactly I wanted to focus on. However, with my subscribers and fellow bloggers help and insight, I’ve developed a clearer vision of where I want my focus to be.
Firstly,
A major part of being healthy involves not just the physical pounds, but the emotional and psychological baggage that usually accompanies struggles with self-image, weight, and food.
As a result of my own struggles with self-image, weight, and food,
I have a passion for helping others to learn how to be all they can be health-wise, no matter what the scale reads.
Secondly,
I also want to help you teach your kids how to make better health choices, no matter what their age or unique needs.
For example,
Is Your Child a Picky Eater?
My son, Nathan, is a picky eater. But he has good reasons. For example, he is allergic to peanuts and is intolerant to other nuts, including cashews. Also, he was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and he has had texture issues with foods since he was six months old. Thus, I know a few things about how to get a kid to eat better.
(By the way, check out these posts which have recipes attached for High Protein Mac-n-Cheese,Garlic and Pintos,Homemade Tomato Vegetable Soup, and Homemade Chicken Nuggets. My husband and I have snuck some vegetables into our son’s diet using the mac-n-cheese and the garlic and pintos. The homemade chicken nuggets are to encourage at-home cooking, especially for those kiddos that limit the foods they will eat.
Thirdly,
Do you have it all figured out?
I don’t and neither does my husband!
But we have learned a lot over the past 17 years, and we look forward to sharing our experiences with you to help make your life around the table easier. I know that together we can help our kids eat their way to happier, healthier lives.
Other things you can expect to see if you stick around:
There is a ton of more good stuff coming your way. And you don’t want to miss it.
Click here to sign up to keep up on the latest news and goodies. Speaking of which, if you sign up now, you will receive access to my awesome Subscriber Only Freebie Page.
My name is Deborah Hanyon, and I have been a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist since 2000. I earned my BS Degree in Foods and Nutrition in 1996, and my MPH in Public Health Nutrition in 1999. I am also a certified Health Coach and Group Fitness Instructor with the American Council of Exercise. I have had many lifelong interests. As a result, I have studied diverse and seemingly unrelated subjects. For example,
I’ve worked in customer service my whole life, starting with my first job at McDonald’s, when I was 16. I have worked in many different environments, including newspaper advertising, credit card administration, restaurant and hospitality, manufacturing, and home security. After graduating from College, I worked for the WIC Program as well as in long term care/rehab hospitals. I’ve also worked in the classroom setting, tutoring at-risk and special education youth. And I currently tutor dietetic student interns struggling to pass the rigorous RD exam.
As my son gets closer to graduation, I am starting to focus more on helping women with dietary challenges. For example, I’ve recently added customizable meal plans for women (and men) who would like to eat more wholesome foods but don’t know where to start. Click here for information on how you can get started with eating more healthily.
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