What are some other ways you can connect with your child? Here are a few suggestions to foster positive conversations.
Pic 54: The screen changes to one with the text “Select activities you’d like to try with your child” at the top and a list of example activities.
Player chooses “Reading together, Going for a walk together, Going for a drive, and Learning or creating a craft together.”
Pic 55: The screen returns to Hope at the café with a circle next to her which contains the title “Activities” with the text “Try something new!”, “Learn together” and “Fail together” underneath.
HOPE: These are examples of activities that can allow you to connect with your child and create the space to talk about resiliency. You can also use these activities as opportunities for you and your child to learn new skills together. It gives you the opportunity to model what it’s like to learn together. It can even be fun to fail together, have a laugh and try a new strategy.
On the other hand, it can be difficult to fully be there for your kid when you’re feeling the strain too. You don’t always have to do activities only with your child. You can do some of these on your own, too! These activities are just as important for you to do for yourself as it is for you to do with your child.
Check out this list and sort the activities based on which you would like to do together, and which you would like to do on your own.
Pic 56: The screen changes to one with the text “Select activities you’d like to try with your child.” On top, with the following list of options:
Player chooses Read, Spend time with friends, Cook, and Do some artwork.
Pic 57: This screen has the text “Select activities you’d like to try by yourself.” At the top with the following list:
Player chooses “Read, Build something, and Try a new activity.”
Pic 58: The image returns to Hope at the café.
HOPE: It’s important to refill your cup, too! You need to take time for yourself so make sure to carve out some time to try some of those alone activities
Pic 59: A circle appears beside Hope which has the text “Find something that brings you joy” with an image of a schedule with a clock underneath it.
HOPE: And that doesn’t mean doing errands alone. It means finding something that brings you joy and making time for it. We give so much to our families, it’s important to make sure we are feeling good, too. That’s another part of resiliency: knowing when you may need a break for yourself and actually taking that break.
Pic 60: The content of the circle is replaced with the text “Moment to breathe” with the image of a figure sitting cross legged with emphasis lines surrounding them like sun rays. Underneath the image is the text “Self care is important.”
HOPE: You’ll get a moment to breathe, and you’ll also be modelling for your kids that self care is important, especially when going through challenges as a family.
Player chooses “Let’s talk about something else.”
Player chooses “Get support.”
Pic 61: A banner appears below Hope with the text “Reach out for Support Services immediately.”
HOPE: One quick thing first, if you feel someone is at risk of being harmed, or harming themselves or others, they should reach out for support services immediately.
Pic 62: The screen changes to one titled “Urgent Help” with two boxes of text that contain information for urgent help resources. Below is a banner that reads “Know that you can always ask for help.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line provides free, twenty four seven support via text message.
Text ‘help’ to 741741
Pic 63: The screen returns to Hope at the café.
HOPE: Every parent needs to ask for help sometimes, and knowing when you need support and where to find it can make all the difference.
Pic 64: A circle appears next to Hope with the title “Asking for Support.” Underneath this appears the text “Reach out to:” and includes the examples “Friend or family member” and “Counselor or local support service.”
HOPE: Asking for support doesn’t mean you’re not doing things right, or that you’re giving up, it's all a part of being a parent! If you feel like the conversations aren’t working you can reach out to a friend or family member for support. If things feel serious, you could reach out to a counselor or local support service.
As parents, we know our children best. If you have that uneasy feeling about something your child has said or done, follow your instinct.
Pic 65: Everything but the title in the circle disappears, and new examples show up, including the word “School” with an icon of a school, and “Internet search” with an icon of a computer.
HOPE: Your child‘s school can be a great starting point. If you aren’t comfortable doing that, I understand. A quick internet search can also help you find mental health service providers in your area who are not associated with the school.
Asking for help models these skills to your children, too. Showing them that sometimes, even adults need to ask for help shows them that it’s okay for them to reach out, too.