Nurturing Relationships

Healthy relationships are essential to our happiness and emotional health. They also have a positive effect on our physical health.  Research shows that people who have satisfying relationships have been shown to be happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.  For these reasons, it is important to take care of and nurture the relationships we have in life.  Because life is so busy with work, school, appointments, etc (and depending on what life stage you are in, it can be even more challenging) there is rarely enough time left over to “nurture” our relationships.  Of course, there is the “I love you” as you run out the door, the quick kiss hello as you return, but for relationships to sustain time, they need more intentional love and care.  

Little ways to nurture relationships with our significant other:

-     Leaving a little note/card that simply says “I love you” that let’s your partner know  you 

      are thinking of him/her

-     Taking a few brief moments to actually look in your partners eyes when they walk in the 

      door and greet them with warmth.

-     Giving them a hug or kiss just because

-     Spending a few minutes snuggling before you fall asleep

-     Cooking your partner’s favorite meal.

-     It's designating one night a week, “your night”, whether you

have a babysitter or not, to eat dinner together (alone), sit on the couch and talk, or  work   on a project  together; to connect and interact on a deeper level than thepracticalities of life and parenting.

Little ways to nurture relationships with children:

-     Putting a little I love you note in their lunch box

-     Spending at least 15 minutes to just listen to them about their day. 

-     Hugs and kisses

-     Reading a bedtime story

-     Designating time to have a special date with each child individually at least once a month

-     Baking cookies together

-         

So, as Valentine’s Day approaches it is important to remember that showing love and appreciation for the special people in your life is a gift that can be given every day and not just on the one day a year that represents “love”.  

Crossroads Family Counseling Center, LLC wants to wish you a very Happy Valentines Day!

 Written by Denise Booth who  is a Virginia Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years experience working with children and families. She has experience providing individual, family and group therapy to court-involved adolescents and families. She specializes in providing therapy to adolescents dealing with trauma and PTSD, behavioral issues at home and school, as well as anxiety, depression, self-esteem and substance abuse. In her work with parents, she strives to enhance parent-child relationships and strengthen parenting skills.

WINTER BLUES?

With the excitement of the holiday season coming to a close, you may notice the post-holiday blues beginning to settle in.  Weeks of holiday planning and preparation, parties and family entertaining, shopping and gift giving can lead to January and subsequent winter months feeling dreary, empty, and lonely.  Children are not immune to these same feelings as they struggle to resume their regular routine. 
So what can you do to help your child combat the winter blues? 

~ Let your child express their disappointment and/or sadness and empathize 
          with their feelings.       

~ Share your own feelings, experiences, and memories about feeling sad after the

 holidays.

~ Life may have resumed its busy schedule, but make sure you structure

family time together.  Play those board games they received as

Christmas gifts! Find time for a movie night complete with popcorn!

Plan ahead so the children have something for which to look forward too. 

~ The often frigid outside temperatures of the winter months can force children

          to remain inside.  Create fun, physical activities that help children release 

          excess energy.  A parent/child jumping jack competition?  Yoga animal 

          poses?

~ Help them to focus on the positives.  What do they love about winter?   

         What are they thankful for when it is cold and dreary outside?

~ Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Children do best when there are

        consistent routines, expectations, and schedules.   

The post holiday blues may feel intense, but tend to be short lived.  If your child’s mood and behavior remain persistent, begin to affect school, social activities, interests, appetite, and familial relationships, he or she may need some additional support.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to Crossroads Family Counseling in order to determine how your child’s need can best be met. 

FAMILY FUN ACTIVITY:   Watch a Family Movie at Home

Why spend a small fortune taking the families to the movies when you can stay at home for an even better theater experience? Host an unforgettable family movie night that's more than a couple of hours sitting on the couch together. Let the kids create movie tickets, make snacks and open their own concession stand. After the movie's over, let their inner critics write movie reviews. Winter Fun for Kids-12 Activities to Beat the Cabin Fever Blues, By Apryl Duncan, About.com Guide

The staff at Crossroads would like to wish you each of you a joyful 2013!!!!!!

Darah Curran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Virginia with 15 years experience working with children, adolescents and families. Darah has provided support for pediatric and adult individuals and families in outpatient and inpatient medical settings. Her areas of focus include adjustment and behavioral issues, social skills development, chronic illness, grief and trauma work. Darah believes in the strength of the family and encourages each member's involvement in making positive change for the child or family system.