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What is Therapeutic Respite Care?
The main goals of therapeutic respite care are rest and self-care for parents and a safe and healing environment for the child while parents rest. Rested parents parent better!
There are many different types of respite care, the two most common and most used being scheduled care (a regular, scheduled break for parents) and crisis care (used when a child is stuck in a pattern of negative behaviours or sabotage).
Motivational respite care ("boot camp" care) is only used when parents and child are stuck in unhealthy relationship patterns and is provided under the care of a highly trained provider and therapist.
Long-term respite care is used when a child is in need of an out-of-home placement for an extended period of time to allow parents to rest and heal.
Respite care is provided in the respite providers home or the parents home, generally for children ages 5 - 15.
Finding and Choosing a Respite Provider
A respite provider can be a family member, friend, member of your church family, or professional care provider who has these three qualities:
- Unwavering love and support for the parents
- Strong leadership presence
- Very good BS detector!
Once a person has agreed to support and help your family by providing respite care, it is important to get them some training in order to keep care therapeutic and healing (see resources below).
Goal for Parents and Siblings
The main goal for parents and healthy siblings during respite care is to REST and have FUN! While this can be hard to do and may bring feelings of guilt, it is important to take this time to heal and recharge so you can parent at your best when your child comes home.
Healthy siblings need time when they can feel like a "normal" family and get to do "normal" family things - outings, movie nights, wild adventures, or pajama days at home.
Goal for Child in Respite
The goal for your child in respite care is to have the opportunity to work on behaviours and life skills, and to be motivated to reach toward parents.
Goals of Respite Provider
The respite provider has two ultimate goals:
- Supporting parents and helping them parent at their best
- Providing the child with a safe environment and opportunities to make good choices.
This is done by using therapeutic techniques such as felt safety, brain-based interventions, and having an environment that is focused on life skills rather than fun. The providers goal is to strengthen your child's relationship with you, not to create a bond between provider and child.
How does all of this happen? Check out the resources listed below!
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