Self Care Evaluation – How am I doing? By Joanna Nicholson, MA, RCC Most parents and caregivers have experienced a recent increase in stress. COVID-19 has impacted our world and our families as we have all had to make significant changes to our daily lives. In addition to increased stress, most people are experiencing a decrease in the activities which help them manage stress. Due to current social/physical distancing requirements, many of the things that we enjoy such as social …
Dr. Chuck Geddes helps us understand the impact of stress in times of uncertainty. He teaches us about the CTR stress staircase and specific ways to manage our children’s and our stress during COVID-19. This is part 2 of a free 3 part video series.
Dr. Chuck Geddes helps us understand the essential importance of SELF-CARE as caregivers and parents during COVID-19. Learn helpful coping mechanisms that can practically assist you during these stressful times. This is part 3 of a free 3-part video series.
Hear from Dr. Chuck Geddes about how to practically help your child and yourself during these stressful times of COVID-19. This is part 1 of a free 3 part video series.
By Joanna Nicholson, MA, RCC As we continue to engage in social distancing and self-isolation, many of our roles and responsibilities have changed due to the COVID-19 virus. Parents, foster parents, and caregivers will have to support their children’s learning from home while balancing other responsibilities and changes. Children are also experiencing change as they have not returned to school following spring break, daily routine has shifted, and social groups are fairly non existent. With no clear timeline on when …
By Joanna Nicholson, MA, R.C.C. With the implementation of ‘social distancing,’ many parents are finding that their spring break plans, as well as daily schedules, have changed. There are many reactions to the changes that have recently taken place due to the COVID-19 virus. Perhaps you are feeling disappointed, you may be concerned about becoming ill, or that a family member may contract COVID-19. Maybe you are worried about job security, safety at work or are trying to figure out …
One Foster Boy’s Untold Story and the Family that Showed him Immense Love & Acceptance By Caroline Bailey, MC, Foster Parent Extraordinaire *printed with permission* Tonight, after 2.5 years of living here, my oldest son sat down at the table with this. He was about to chow down when I stopped him and asked what in the world he was doing. He said, “I made myself dinner.” “But it isn’t cooked. I can cook that you know.” “Well, I wanted …
The ’12 Days’ of Christmas Calm by Nicole Fakaua, M.C., RCC, CCI Coach With the holiday season in full swing, and the ballot of the 12 days of Christmas barreling in the background, it’s so easy to get caught up in the crazy Christmas chaos that can take over our lives. As wonderful a time of the year as Christmas is, it can also equate to a whole lot of stress. Now for youth with a background of complex …
Summer, Sunshine, and Stress by Nicole Fakaua, M.C., R.C.C. Summer holidays usually conjure up images of sunshine, sweet watermelon, and happy kids playing along the beach. But let’s face it, for many kids with a trauma background, summer holidays can also be stressful! Normal routines have been bypassed by longer, leisurely days filled with a degree of flexibility and unpredictability on many fronts. Though enjoyable, this can be particularly challenging for kiddos with a history of trauma. As a result, …
Acceptance, Belonging, and Contribution – Keys to a Child’s Identity by Dr. Kirk Austin It is not much to look at- just a small bud rising out of the soil. But this bud represents a billion-dollar industry world wide. It is a humble Chinese bamboo shoot. Globally, the plant is eaten for food, converted into paper, fashioned into furniture and manufactured into hard wood flooring. Its versatility seems endless. The farmers who tend the bamboo crop care for it for …