This blog is written by the clinicians at Jonah Green and Associates, a mental health practice based in Kensington, MD that provides quality services for children, teens, families, and adults. It is intended as a resource for families who are seeking to expand their knowledge about mental health and mental health services, and also as a resource for families who are seeking quality mental health services, especially in the mid-Atlantic region. Please feel free to post questions and comments on any of the entries as well as on any topics or articles from our companion web site www.childandfamilymentalhealth.com.
For many children, moving from one activity to another can be a great challenge. Managing expectations during transitions and using specific strategies can decrease battles and increase harmony when moving shifting tasks. Below are several ways to ease transition time both inside and outside of the home.
After my daughter was born, the last thing I wanted to think about was leaving her to return to an office. It was a feat getting out the door on time for playgroup, let alone putting on a work-appropriate outfit and carrying on a conversation that didn’t revolve around sleep and how to get more of it. For me, I felt lucky to have the opportunity to take a long maternity leave, but I also had many friends who were happy to go back to the office earlier. Regardless of when it happens, returning to work after baby is a source of anxiety for many parents. It can be a difficult transition filled with worry and fear.
Reducing family stress around life changes, big and small.
Many families have just experienced an important annual transition: going back to school. We often think about how children have difficulty with changes around these times. But transitions are difficult for parents too, as well as for families as a whole. It is often hard work for everyone to move from the lazy days of summer vacation to the frenetic activity that autumn brings.
If you are a parent of a child with an intellectual, learning, or developmental disability such as autism or Down Syndrome, you probably face particular challenges as your child approaches adulthood. Whereas parents of typical children face the challenge of the “empty nest syndrome”, you may be struggling to help your child grow in independence, even as you face an increased burden of care. As your child ages out of a full-time school program, available resources generally become both less available and less coordinated. The task of maximizing your child’s independence and relieving the burden of caretaking may begin to feel urgent. [Read more…]
