7 Ways to Set Boundaries Without Losing Compassion
When We Value Something, We Hold Space tor it. What We Treasure, We Esteem. Setting boundaries can be challenging, especially if you have a big heart and care deeply about the people around you, as most of us social workers do! I know this firsthand. When I first started my career in social work, I […]
How to Help Children Feel Valued and Build Confidence
When We Value Something, We Hold Space tor it. What We Treasure, We Esteem. To be valued is to know, deep in your core, that you matter—not for what you do, but for who you are. It’s the assurance that you are worthy of love and care. For children who have experienced the trauma of […]
From Bathtime to Big Talks: Everyday Ways to Teach Kids About Their Bodies
Key Takeaways Ongoing Conversations Matter: Instead of one big talk, have small, ongoing discussions about bodies and boundaries to help your child learn gradually. Follow Their Lead: When kids ask questions, respond by understanding their curiosity first, and keep your answers simple and age-appropriate. Create a Safe Space: Use proper terms for body parts, admit […]
More than Words: How Listening Builds Connection
For Children with Trauma Histories, Being Heard is Critical. Many have never been given a voice in decisions that affect them. If they have experienced neglect, they receive a clear message: no one listens. Over time, they may stop expressing themselves altogether. Internalizing emotions to avoid rejection can lead to fear and anxiety. Drawing out […]
From Burnout to Connection: Using Points of Joy to Overcome Blocked Care
You love your child—there’s no question about that. You love your child—there’s no question about that. But lately, parenting has felt less like a calling and more like an uphill battle. You’re exhausted, irritable, and maybe even questioning whether you were ever cut out for this. Here’s what some parents have shared: “I have been […]
Starting Small The Power of Tolerable Connection in Parenting
Key Takeaways Connection doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful. Small, low-pressure moments can create real change over time. Children with trauma often experience an “intimacy barrier.” They may resist connection, not because they don’t want it, but because it feels unsafe. Healing starts with safety and regulation. Before deep connection can happen, both […]
Leaping into 2025: Embracing Change with Confidence and Trust
Key Takeaways Trust in Support: We can lean on those around us (friends, family, community members, or Chosen) for support when facing challenges or unknowns. Perseverance Through Fear: Fear is natural, but it doesn’t have to stop us. We can move forward with excitement and anticipation, knowing it’s part of growth. Generational Life’s Journey is […]
Creating Felt Safety During Spooky Season
Key Takeaways Felt safety is essential: Children who have experienced trauma need to feel safe, especially during disrupted routines like Halloween, so intentional planning is key. Preparation reduces fear: Understanding potential triggers, setting clear expectations, and trying on costumes ahead of time can help children feel more in control and prevent overwhelming situations. Prioritize choice […]
Piñatas and Felt Safety
Finding the Function in Dysfunction My daughter has an irrational fear of piñatas—the fear that makes your heart race, palms sweaty and stomach turn. Complicating this fear is the fact that she spent most of the first 5 years of her life living in Mexico, land of the piñata. Where we lived, piñatas are just […]
Dr. Bruce Perry’s Concept of Regulate, Relate, and Reason
The Three R’s Think about a time you felt upset. Was it over something big or small? Did someone help you feel better? While you were still upset, did you listen to reason? Did hearing, “Calm down!” help? A popular phrase sums it up well, “Never in the history of calming down has anyone calmed […]
Handle Sibling Fights and Nurture a Positive Attachment Every Day
BY BETHANY HALL If you are a foster, adoptive, or kinship family, then you know caring for multiple children isn’t easy. Squabbles, sharing, and getting under each other’s skin is bound to happen any time of the year. However, sibling fights and other behaviors tend to get worse during long breaks like summertime or holidays. Our […]
Trauma Informed to Trauma Responsive Care
Loss hurts. Neglect and abuse cut deep. Early childhood trauma leaves lasting scars. Whether the baby in the womb adopted at birth, the 3-year-old being raised by grandparents, or the teenager in foster care, all children who have been separated from birth parents have experienced some level of trauma. As a result, these kids often face […]
