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.

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. 

Grieving through the Holidays

The pressures around the holidays can be even more challenging after the death of a family member. Here are some tips to consider that may help as you navigate the challenges, as well as a Holiday Plan Worksheet to help you work through these decisions together as a family. -From The Dougy Center

Simple, inexpensive games and activities to enjoy with your child this summer!

Ideas to get the fun started

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

Executive Function and ADHD: Why Structure and Routines Matter

Executive Function and ADHD: Why Structure and Routines Matter

Grieving through the holidays

Grief and the holidays - dealing with the pain

Celebrating the holidays when it hurts

Tips for getting through the holidays while grieving or hurting

Avoiding travel meltdowns

Tips to help kids with sensory processing issues avoid travel meltdowns

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!

What does a healthy relationship look like? And what does it not?

Healthy Relationships

Communication is a key part to building a healthy relationship. The first step is making sure you both want and expect the same things -- being on the same page is very important. The following tips can help you create and maintain a healthy relationship:

• Speak Up. In a healthy relationship, if something is bothering you, it’s best to talk about it instead of holding it in.
• Respect Your Partner. Your partner's wishes and feelings have value. Let your significant other know you are making an effort to keep their ideas in mind. Mutual respect is essential in maintaining healthy relationships.
• Compromise. Disagreements are a natural part of healthy relationships, but it’s important that you find a way to compromise if you disagree on something. Try to solve conflicts in a fair and rational way.
• Be Supportive. Offer reassurance and encouragement to your partner. Also, let your partner know when you need their support. Healthy relationships are about building each other up, not putting each other down.
• Respect Each Other’s Privacy. Just because you’re in a relationship, doesn’t mean you have to share everything and constantly be together. Healthy relationships require space.

Healthy Boundaries

Creating boundaries is a good way to keep your relationship healthy and secure. By setting boundaries together, you can both have a deeper understanding of the type of relationship that you and your partner want. Boundaries are not meant to make you feel trapped or like you’re “walking on eggshells.” Creating boundaries is not a sign of secrecy or distrust -- it's an expression of what makes you feel comfortable and what you would like or not like to happen within the relationship.

Remember, healthy boundaries shouldn’t restrict your ability to:

• Go out with your friends without your partner.
• Participate in activities and hobbies you like.
• Not have to share passwords to your email, social media accounts or phone.
• Respect each other’s individual likes and needs.

Healthy Relationship Boosters

Even healthy relationships can use a boost now and then. You may need a boost if you feel disconnected from your partner or like the relationship has gotten stale. If so, find a fun, simple activity you both enjoy, like going on a walk, and talk about the reasons why you want to be in the relationship. Then, keep using healthy behaviors as you continue dating.

If you’re single (and especially if you’re a single parent), don’t worry if you need a boost too! Being single can be the best and worst feeling, but remember relationships don’t just include your significant other and you. Think about all the great times you’ve had with your parents, siblings, friends, children, other family members, etc..

Try going out with the people you love and care about the most -- watch movies together, go out to eat, take a day off from your busy life and just enjoy being you! If it helps, also talk about your feelings about the relationships in your life. If you just want them to listen, start by telling them that. Then ask what makes relationships good and what makes them bad? Along the way, if you need advice, feel free to contact us. We’re here to help 24/7.

And don’t forget, the relationship you can always boost up is the one you have with yourself!

What Isn't a Healthy Relationship?

Relationships that are not healthy are based on power and control, not equality and respect. In the early stages of an abusive relationship, you may not think the unhealthy behaviors are a big deal. However, possessiveness, insults, jealous accusations, yelling, humiliation, pulling hair, pushing or other negative, abusive behaviors, are -- at their root -- exertions of power and control. Remember that abuse is always a choice and you deserve to be respected. There is no excuse for abuse of any kind.

If you think your relationship is unhealthy, it's important to think about your safety now. Consider these points as you move forward:

• Understand that a person can only change if they want to. You can't force your partner to alter their behavior if they don't believe they're wrong.
• Focus on your own needs. Are you taking care of yourself? Your wellness is always important. Watch your stress levels, take time to be with friends, get enough sleep. If you find that your relationship is draining you, consider ending it.
• Connect with your support systems. Often, abusers try to isolate their partners. Talk to your friends, family members, teachers and others to make sure you're getting the emotional support you need. Remember, our advocates are always ready to talk if you need a listening ear.
• Think about breaking up. Remember that you deserve to feel safe and accepted in your relationship.

Even though you cannot change your partner, you can make changes in your own life to stay safe. Consider leaving your partner before the abuse gets worse. Whether you decide to leave or stay, make sure to use our safety planning tips to stay safe. Remember, you have many options -- including obtaining a domestic violence restraining order. Laws vary from state to state so chat with a peer advocate to learn more.

Excerpt from http://www.loveisrespect.org/dating-basics/healthy-relationships

Tips for handling grief through the holidays

The Empty Chair at the Holiday Table | Psych Central