As I’m writing this, I’ve had a long week. By therapist standards, that’s a significant statement. Every week involves families on the brink and children in crisis. This one had multiple people thinking about hurting themselves and a hospital visit for one client after a fight at school.
Many times I have heard a sentiment akin to, “I don’t know how you do it.” I’ll tell you, without my faith and my family to support me, I don’t think I could.
Home this week hasn’t been easy though. Andrea and I are both on boards at the school, at church, and elsewhere. The past five days have included fifteen hours of meetings just during the evenings. We’re glad to serve and please don’t think every week is this way. It’s definitely an anomaly.
We get through it because we have peace at home. That peace holds security, rest, and beauty dearly. Peace will not look the same in all situations but you’ll find these elements when you look close. A place to refresh is crucial for growth. Just as an athlete needs to workout and then get nutrition to recoup, people need to exercise their love and talents and then come to a place where they are filled and can rest. Only then can we grow and mature, child or adult.
Knowing that you have a place to recuperate instills confidence as people move throughout their day. Life is rough and tears away at us all. We can remain calm through every blow when we know that it will end soon. When the pain seems to have no end, hope is hard to hold onto.
The value of peace in the home is high. Taking great efforts to nurture a space where the members of the household can relax, share, and receive support pays off. It takes time spent building each other up before your people are torn down by the world.
As you keep reading through these posts you’ll see information on how to affirm your children as well as adult family members. We teach the use of PRIDE skills which came from an internationally recognized mode of therapy called PCIT. These skills have been researched vigorously since 1980 and help you to get the most out of the precious time you have with your kids. We want all caregivers to know who to effectively praise, reflect, imitate in play, describe, enjoy the children they hold under their wing.