NOTE:
While most of our content for the next while will be dedicated to amplifying the voices our our Black, First Nations, and Indigenous people and keeping the conversations about racism in our countries going, we are still here to support parents with children with RAD and provide treatment and help through these times.
If you or your child are experiencing increased blocked care or negative behaviours please contact us for a free consultation.
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News from
The RADish Ranch
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Greetings!
"Writing about our feelings and experiences helps us release some of the associated emotions and process the events in our lives."
We all know how our kids with RAD are with talking about their feelings...
Getting them to write a daily feelings journal allows them to slowly get comfortable with their own feelings; there's no judgement, all feelings are acceptable, and they begin to feel gratefulness.
Only after that will they feel ready to share their feelings with you in person - face-to-face and honestly.
Below are the guidelines to get you kids started. Don't stress out about it, start slowly and give everyone some time to adjust. If you run into a roadblock with it send us an email and we'll be happy to give you some pointers:
info@theradishranch.org.
Enjoy!
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Karen Poitras
President & Founder
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Feelings Journal
A feelings journal helps children understand their own feelings more clearly, teaches them that they are lovable no matter what they’re feeling, and gives them a chance to see what they have to be thankful for.
Once children have the skill of reading and writing (usually ages 6+) they should start journaling daily.
Remember:
- All feelings are ok.
- Entries must be related to the child, not other people or things
- No lies – entries must be about things that actually happened
- Only the child writes in the journal – not parents
- Not all four feelings have to be used every day; the child can choose all the same, two or three, or one of each
Feelings part:
- Date at the top of the entry
- Write in complete sentences
- 3 – 5 feelings (depending on your child’s age)
- The 4 basic feelings: sad, mad, glad, scared
Thankful part:
- 3 – 5 'thankfuls' (depending on your child’s age; I have them write the same amount of thankfuls ans feelings)
- Write in complete sentences
Example:
June 7, 2020
I was mad that I didn’t get to play Lego.
I was sad that I didn’t get to play outside yesterday.
I was glad that I got to do snuggle time with my Mom.
I was mad yesterday that I didn’t make it through all of supper with my family.
I’m thankful for the eggs I had for breakfast.
I’m thankful that I got to play Simon Says with Mom.
I’m thankful that I got all my jobs done today.
I’m thankful that we had popcorn for a snack today.
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“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”
- Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School; 2011
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What to do when they don't follow the guidelines.
As they will test the limits several times to see if you care enough to hold your ground, here's what you say when they've written something that isn't true, "forgotten" to write the date, or written phrases instead of sentences:
"TRY AGAIN"
That's all.
I don't worry about spelling or neatness (as long as I can read it), otherwise it turns into a Schoolwork-Like Battle Of The Wills - and those are better left where they belong - at school.
When to have journaling time.
Journaling should be done at the same time every day; in the morning before breakfast is often the best time to get it done, but after school or as part of a bedtime routine works well too.
It should take about 5 - 8 minutes to complete, but of course our little people will drag it out into a looong process, especially in the beginning to try and get you to stop requiring it. Keep at it, Awesome Parents!
Types of journals to use.
Spiral bound. This is a good, sturdy option, but some kiddos pull out the wire and scratch surfaces.
Fancy & Funky. These are fun to do for kids who are at the point where they can handle special things. Some kids have a hard time believing they are good enough for nice things and will tear them up, so for these kiddos I suggest:
School scribblers. Cheap, usable, and easy for kids to buy new ones if they tear them up or "lose" them.
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Summer is a great time to work on healing and bonding, get a break for your healthy kiddos, and practice self-care.
WE ARE OPENING UP THIS SUMMER WITH HEALTH CANADA'S COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS AND REGULATIONS IN PLACE. Some programs are going to be a bit different, but we promise to provide your family with the HOPE and HEALING you need.
Book your child or family in today to get a boost on healing!
♥ Therapeutic Respite Care
Therapeutic respite provides a break for the parents, giving them time to rest and recharge, focus on their healthy children, and strengthen family relationships. Children will continue to heal, reach toward their parents, and work on life skills and debt payments.
MORE INFO
♥ Respite & Parent Coaching Combo
Parents learn how to implement therapeutic parenting practices, how to bond and connect to their child on the child’s emotional level, and how to fit everything in with home-life and school schedules.
Children will learn and practices new behaviours and techniques that will lead to healing and success, work on life skills, and practice The 6 Jobs of Strong Kids.
MORE INFO
♥ Summer Family Respite Vacation
Children with RAD have a very hard time with vacation – the lack of structure, disrupted schedule, family closeness and fun, over stimulation – and families spend ‘vacation’ being worn down and exhausted with crazy behaviours. They often experience weeks of backlash on returning home, making any vacation seem more exhausting than staying home. We’re changing that!
MORE INFO
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Box 58, Mariapolis, MB. R0K 1K0
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