This festive season, Lutheran Care is asking you to create wonder within your family by becoming a Foster Carer.
Through its Little Moments Big Impact campaign, Lutheran Care is highlighting the significance of family traditions and how they can bring people closer together.
Wonder is a feeling that uplifts and creates a spark and you can do this with fun, simple traditions that recognise the uniqueness of your family identity.
Each year, Lutheran Care Foster Carer, Angela, welcomes in the New Year with Olliebollen (Dutch doughnuts), a tradition from her father’s childhood growing up in the Netherlands.
Angela has continued this family tradition with her children.
“Our family look forward to this every year, no one makes Olliebollen like Papa,” Angela said.
“Last year we missed out, so he arranged a special night and came over to make some for our family to enjoy.”
Speaking on the Emerging Minds podcast, psychologist Dr Angie Willcocks says the most important aspect of creating new traditions is that they resonate with your family values and your family preference, and it doesn’t have to be what anybody else is doing.
“Being flexible and being open to trying different ideas until you find ones that feel the most meaningful and enjoyable for you and your family,” Dr Willcocks said on the podcast.
Dr Willcocks encouraged families to think about setting realistic expectations that come from their own values and their own family values, so people can prioritise what is important for them.
“Really digging deep as a person and family to think about what is important to you, how can you simplify it and bring back your own values to Christmas,” Dr Willcocks said on the podcast.
Well-known and trusted parenting expert, Dr Justin Coulson reminded parents to find a way to repeat enjoyable activities regularly and make them part of what it means to be in your family.
“Before you know, you’ll start reaping the rewards of having created a new tradition,” Dr Coulson said.
Every little moment has a big impact on a child or young person.
Have you thought about fostering or would like to learn more?
Be a Foster Carer
Be the Village.