Together We Can THRIVE

T: Trauma can happen to both kids and adults

H: Healing takes time, patience, and safety

R: Recognizing the need to heal is a sign of strength

I: Invite others to join you in the process

V: Voice your needs and find what works for you

E: Engage in healing each day

Everyone experiences traumatic and stressful events in their lives. Those experiences can really stick with us and make it hard to enjoy life or get ahead. But every adult can heal, and every adult can help a child heal. With love and support, we can bounce back, grow forward, and thrive. Many types of experiences can be traumatic to a child or family. These could include abuse or neglect, sexual assault, mental health issues, divorce, family violence, or having a family member incarcerated.

How Can I Help Myself and My Family HEAL?

Bouncing back from traumatic experiences is a process and takes time, patience, and safety. Becoming resilient means we are learning how to cope with these experiences. Every person heals from trauma differently. Our family members may all go through a different healing process.

  • Talk to a doctor or therapist or ask for help from other professionals.

  • Consider reaching out and getting connected with a counselor-advocate from the Sexual Assault

    Counseling Center and Child Advocacy Center by calling 406-586-3333.

  • Remember that parenting is hard. No one does it perfectly. We all fall short sometimes. Be kind and patient with yourself. It can be easy to blame ourselves during stressful times. We are not alone in the process of healing. Give yourself permission to feel what you’re feeling (without judgement!). Use healthy coping skills like deep breathing, exercise, or enjoying a hobby.

  • Help our children build relationships with caring adults, including teachers, coaches, and other family members.

  • Kids need to hear praise and kind words. Help build our children’s self-esteem by pointing out their strengths. Allow them to make mistakes so they can learn from them and become more confident. Help them set goals for themselves.

How Can I Help Myself and My Family THRIVE?

Learning how to cope with stressful events in a healthy way is key for every child’s success. Getting through these tough experiences can be difficult. Recognizing the need to heal is a brave and necessary first step. To move beyond just surviving, we must identify our needs and our strengths. We all have strengths we can share. Tap into them. And we must take care of ourselves so that we can help take care of our family.

  • Surround yourselves with people who support you. Help your children maintain healthy relationships with professionals, family members, people from church, or other caring adults. It is important to have people we can trust and who will listen without judging.

  • Acknowledge your success and acknowledge your kids’ success. You have all come so far in this journey! Point out your children’s talents. Tell them you’re proud of them (and be proud of yourself!) Set goals for yourself, and help your children set goals.

  • Continue being  a source of safety and kindness for your family. Communicate in a loving way, and help your children express their feelings. That may mean learning how to express your own feelings in a positive way.

Thriving means we are growing and blossoming. It doesn’t mean that every day is easy because we may still be in the process of healing. But we will be more resilient and able to cope with challenges.

-Dan
Volunteer Crisis Counselor

This material was adapted from the Face It® Movement started in the state of Kentucky. ​Click HERE to learn more about the Face It® movement and become the face that ends child abuse & neglect.