Simple Grief Projects to do with Family

The holidays can be a tough time for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one. It can be therapeutic to do an activity as a family to celebrate the memory of that loved one. Here are some kid friendly ideas! Happy Holidays!

1. Create a memory jar. Have everyone in the family write down his or her favorite memories of the departed loved one and put it in a nicely decorated mason jar. This is a fun and easy way to keep everyone's memories together.

2. Create a memory scrap book. This is another nice way to keep all family member's memories in one place. You can add pictures or anything that reminds you of the lost loved one.

3. Write a letter each year to your departed loved one. Either individually or if you have small children, together. Another option with small children is that you could have them draw or color a picture. Make sure to keep the letters/pictures! This is a good way to reflect on the year, as well as a good way to incorporate the departed loved one in a tradition.

Tips for Communicating with Teachers Effectively

Helpful Tips for Communication with Teachers Effectively

Relatives Raising Relatives

Across the United States, more than 6 million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents and other relatives; 2.5 million children are in these households without any parents present. As the children's parents struggle with substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration, economic hardship, divorce, domestic violence, and other challenges, these caregivers provide a vital safety net to children inside and outside of the foster care system. This fact sheet provides important information and resources for the grandparents and other relatives raising children in your state.

Since many remarriages include children from previous relationships, step-families or blended families are more common than ever. When families "blend" to create step-families, though, things may not progress smoothly. Some children may resist changes, while you as a parent can become frustrated when your new family doesn't function like your previous one. While changes to family structure require adjustment time for everyone involved, these guidelines can help your blended family work through the growing pains. No matter how strained or difficult things seem at first, with open communication, mutual respect, and plenty of love and patience, you can develop a close bond with your new stepchildren and form an affectionate and successful new family.

10 Signs of a Healthy Co-parenting Relationship

Co-parenting, sometimes called joint parenting or shared parenting, is the experience of raising children as a single parent when separation or divorce occurs. Often a difficult process, co-parenting is greatly influenced by the reciprocal interactions of each parent. Co-parenting requires empathy, patience and open communication for success, which can be difficult for couples who've encountered marital issues. However, placing the sole focus on your children can be a great way of helping to make co-parenting a positive experience. This article helps families by discussing 10 signs of a healthy co-parenting relationship.

Books to Help Children Understand Family Change

Every child is bound to experience difficult events as they grows up: a family member becoming ill or passing away; a divorce or separation; a move that takes them away from the familiar comfort of home.

When complex situations arise before a child develops the ability to express emotions, books can help children feel less alone and more at ease with feelings like anger, frustration, or sadness. While a book can’t make everything better, stories often provide a great way to connect with children and help discuss difficult topics. This book list includes a number of great children's book that deal with adoption, divorce, separation, and other family change events. 

Supporting Grieving Preschoolers

It is often very difficult to have a conversation with young children about death and dying. You never feel like you're using the right words or explaining it well enough (at least I know that's how I have felt!) Although the title is 'Supporting Grieving Preschoolers,' I really feel that this tip sheet gives some great advice on how to handle these difficult and delicate situations with all ages of children. The biggest things to remember are to be honest and talk openly. The last line on the tip sheet says a lot--'Talking with young children about death is not an easy thing to do, but adults sometimes make it harder than it needs to be. Children are curious and appreciate knowing the truth.' Check out the full tip sheet here.

Get the facts

Warning signs and what parents/caregivers can do

Strengthening Family Relationships

The 5 L's of strong family relationships. 

Helping Girls Cope with Bullying and Frenemies

Helping Girls Cope with Bullying and Frenemies

Ten Ways to Prevent Relational Aggression in Girls

Executive Function and ADHD: Why Structure and Routines Matter

Executive Function and ADHD: Why Structure and Routines Matter

Being left out hurts:Let's stop social engineering

http://community.today.com/post/being-left-out-hurts-lets-stop-social-engineering-now?cid=sm_fbn

Time to talk: A guide for parents and caregivers on child or teen mental health

Anxiety and the Disruptive Student

Could the student showing disruptive behavior be having issues with anxiety? Here is a great article to try and uncover the root cause of different behaviors.

 How Anxiety Leads to Disruptive Behavior

 

5 Things Never to Say to an Anxious Child

Do you ever wonder how to react to your child when they are showing fear and anxiety about something? This article has some very helpful information that will be sure to help!

100 Things To Do This Summer

Summer is going fast! Are you looking for things to do with the kids? Here are some fun ideas for family fun!