Language that Cares with Capstone Foster Care. Why we’re steering away from the term ‘respite’.

Our words matter.?

Words are how we communicate, connect and seek to understand one another. When we are talking about a vulnerable group, such as children, it is even more important how we, the adults, talk about them.?

By examining the terminology we use and reflecting on their connotations, we can better understand some of the stigma care experienced young people are subject to and, together, we can change some of the preconceptions associated with being fostered.?

Let’s begin with the word Respite. Respite care, and respite foster carers are terms which have widely been used within the fostering world for many years and something which, we here at Capstone Foster Care, are now distancing ourselves from and here’s why…?

Respite. According to the dictionary is defined as a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant.??

Immediately, we can begin to see why using this type of language when referring to children is problematic. The language we use is loaded and the story we paint behind what we’re saying depicts these children as a burden.?

In a more regular family setting, if the children are sent to the grandparents for a weekend, the term respite would never be used. Respite care is a term reserved for foster children, and sets them apart from their peers, singling them out as children who are seen as a burden. This can so easily become part of how they see themselves.?

Let’s remove the burden…?

After all, foster children have often been failed by the adults in their lives in some huge ways. They are children and never the burden in any given situation.?

It can be as simple as shifting our terminology to ‘short stay’ or ‘planned break’ to remove the burden from the situation. The tone of the conversation is lifted with that simple change. On a subconscious level this change helps to remove the bias towards the child and can make a big difference in how they view themselves.?

While it is a small change, it is the sum of these minor adjustments which can change attitudes and equal big change in perceptions.?

#languagematters #capstonecomments?