When planning a child’s childhood, it is important to start planning early. Permanency planning begins with your child. The first step to take is to establish a relationship with your child where both of you can work together to establish an environment that is stimulating, accepting, safe, and encouraging of your child’s personal development. It also means making sure that there is the right balance of parent and child in the early years. Once your child is old enough to make some decisions on his or her own, he or she will begin to understand who the parent is, and will have a better sense of who the family is as a whole. This is why it is so important to set expectations early.
The ultimate aim of permanence planning is to make sure that a safe, secure environment is in place with lifelong ties which will support your child through adulthood. For younger children this may be provided by extended family members, and for older children this may come from peer groups and community organizations. In the later years, it is important to provide a stable and loving environment for your child. To do this, you must make sure that there is a balance between the family members and the outside influences. Family members can play a big part in this, but they should not be expected to take sole responsibility for every decision your child makes, as they should only try to advise their own opinion, and not become a de facto leader.
Children’s preferences in clothes, foods, and leisure time should be taken into account when planning a permanence plan. Many families find comfort in familiar faces, especially if the children grew up within the same neighborhood or in the same school. Peer groups can also provide a positive influence on your child, especially if they share similar interests and values. Some parents may decide to stay with their immediate family, and others may decide to move in with grandparents or other relatives.
Community support is an important aspect of funeral planning. Many local churches offer programs that can help families plan for their loss. These programs may be helpful for a small group, or for larger families. These services also allow families to openly discuss their grief and death. Many churches offer grief counseling services for free through their church networks. Local hospitals may also help families with bereavement programs, and a great number of community organizations and hospitals offer support groups specifically for bereaved families.
The most immediate way that families begin planning a funeral is by determining the date of the service. This will often determine where the funeral will take place, how much of the federal budget will be used, who will officiate the service, and whether a body or cremation will be performed. Often families will also decide whether to have a memorial service. Memorials can be quite meaningful and many choose to have one at a location chosen by the deceased, such as a favorite place or museum.
There are many different ways that people commemorate their loved one. Some choose to simply observe a particular anniversary, such as the birth of a child, or their participation in an important cause. Others like to hold a celebration of life, such as a retirement party. Still others like to hold a service to remember the deceased through their earthly achievements. Planning a funeral can be a very difficult experience for families, but it doesn’t have to be. Using these resources can help guide you through the process, and make the inevitable rough days less painful.
