Wow, maybe I should go to PR and provide EMDR services to the children over there, with 1 in every 14 children showing signs of PTSD. The article also shares that the girls are more likely to show signs of anxiety and depression while the boys were more likely to act aggressive.
For more information, or to read more: https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-hurricane-maria-puerto-rico-ptsd-students-20190429-story.html
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Losing your dad or a father figure can be devastating. I treat grief in my practice and provide EMDR to assist my clients in their healing. #gabriellefreiretherapy
I love this idea, bring back a family dinner one night a week....Sunday seems like the perfect day to reconnect with family or friends by having a dinner.
For more information, read article by R. Koenig: Sunday dinner: The family tradition we need to bring back Want a way to stay connected to family? It’s time to bring back the tradition of gathering around the dinner table. Studies show that there are cognitive, psychological and physical benefits of dining together. Maskot / Getty Images May 5, 2019, 8:01 AM PDT By Ronnie Koenig When I was a kid growing up on Long Island, Sunday dinner was a thing. We never mentioned it, but everyone just knew that the end of the weekend meant we had a long-standing date with my maternal grandparents. It was a time to hang around the house, see your relatives and bring in kosher deli. Back then, the platters of sliced pastrami and whole-sour pickles didn’t hold any special significance to me. But now, as an adult with 100 miles separating me from my nearest family members, I’m realizing the importance of this designated family time. “The family that eats together thrives together,” says Dr. Vanessa Lapointe, a registered psychologist and parenting expert. “Mealtime has historically been a time of family togetherness. Plus, if you’re getting multiple generations together, then there is tapestry of diversity in terms of ages and interests and that is just so good for kids.” My childhood was influenced significantly by having my grandparents within a short driving distance and my aunt, uncle and cousin within walking distance. While my seven-year-old twins know and love their family, visits are sometimes few and far between unless it’s someone’s birthday, holiday or other special occasion that necessitates a visit. Around the New Year, I decided that this wasn’t ok. After losing my dad a few years ago, I’ve started to realize that these moments together aren’t guaranteed. I wanted our family to be connected and not just in a catch-up-every-once-in-a-while way. So, without telling anyone, I started a Sunday night dinner tradition. What’s for dinner doesn’t matter — it’s the communal environment that you create that makes all the difference. “We’re coming over,” I announced to my mom on the phone one Sunday morning and within hours, my sister, my cousin and I descended on her home bearing salad, wine and all the ingredients to make the Pioneer Woman’s Baked Ziti. (If you haven’t made it, you need to, STAT!) We all have busy schedules — errands to run, work to do, kids to shuttle around — but for a few hours that Sunday evening, we decided to take a break from it all. The best part was that it was for no other reason than it being Sunday. It wasn’t anyone’s birthday or graduation, but there we were, all gathered around the table together. Anne Fishel, Ph.D., a family therapist and founder of The Family Dinner Project, a non-profit initiative that encourages families to connect over mealtime, tells me that there are numerous benefits of families eating together. “The benefits range from the cognitive ones (young kids having bigger vocabularies and older kids doing better in school) to the physical ones (better cardiovascular health, lower obesity rates and eating more vegetables and fruits) to psychological ones (lower rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse and fewer behavioral problems in school).” Fishel says that what’s for dinner doesn’t matter — it’s the communal environment that you create that makes all the difference. A BETTER WAY Science-backed ways to have a healthier weekend “These benefits don’t derive from a perfect roast chicken or organic tomatoes but instead from the atmosphere at the table — if there is conflict, stony silence or an intoxicated parent, these benefits do not occur. It’s critical that the atmosphere at the table be warm and inviting, that kids feel that it is safe to talk and know that someone is listening.” One thing I’ve learned about this family dinner tradition is that it takes a little effort, but it’s not insurmountable. We overcome the driving distance by taking turns who’s house we go to — one Sunday it’s Mediterranean by me, the next a BBQ by my sister. It doesn’t take place every single Sunday, but I can now say that I see my mom several times a month, not once a month, and that’s a huge difference. Studies have shown that older adults thrive and actually live longer when they have consistent social interactions. For my kids, the real-life facetime provides an invaluable connection to the people in the world who care about them the most. And for me, making the opportunity to see family gives me footing, particularly since moving to a town where we didn’t know anyone less than two years ago. There are at least sixteen opportunities a week to eat together –seven breakfasts, seven dinners and two weekend lunches. HOW TO INSTITUTE A SUNDAY DINNER TRADITION If the idea of Sunday dinner sounds totally unrealistic to you, I know where you’re coming from. But there are ways to make it workable and the benefits you’ll reap will be worth the effort, I promise!
So, your son or daughter has ADHD and you are going bananas. They are constantly walking, running or squirming when they should be sitting and paying attention. You ask them to make their bed, and easy enough task but it takes him or her a long time. A very long time. You frustrated because it is a lot of work for you to supervise them until the bed is finally made.
Well, here are a few parenting tips: Have clear rules in the home. Not too many, maybe 3 or 5 rules are clear. Make sure both parents are on the same page when it comes to parenting. By that I mean the child gets a consequence whether they are with mom or dad (that way the parents support one another and one parent isn't designated as being the "mean" one). The consequences mom and dad give out should be the same for the same misbehavior. Praise your child when they do what you want them to do. A high-5 works great or a hug. Just try that....and of course you can leave a comment below! #gabriellefreiretherapy Let's face it, sometimes we can't hide from the hurt and we need to face it. Embrace it. Be open to the life lessons, try to think positive and move forward....day by day.
#gabriellefreiretherapy I know that life doesn't always go as planned and that's why being resilient is important. During treatment I will remind you to be optimistic....I will encourage your optimism and I'll challenge your pessimistic view while I assist you in uncovering your potential.
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January 2023
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