Objective and Purpose: To introduce the basic concept of empathy and learn how to show empathy to self and others. Empathy is valuing other people’s feelings and opinions. Empathy is the ability to express compassion to self and others that are different from you. Showing empathy is a great way to help lower overwhelmed feelings […]
Life can be hectic, and it may seem as if each family member is pulled in different directions due to work, school, social and extracurricular commitments. One way to improve family communication and keep everyone informed is to implement family meetings on a regular basis. To start, plan to hold family meetings once a week […]
Grab two jars and scrap paper. Write positive activities on scrap paper for the “Filling Up” jar. Label each jar Letting Go and Filling Up. As a negative emotion arises… Write it on a piece of scrap paper and place it in the “LettingGo” jar. The act of writing the emotion and physically letting it […]
Can you have a “night out” without leaving the comfort of your home? Sure! Despite how much we may yearn for our sweats when we are working away from home all day, they may get old eventually. Lots of us have fun weekend outings we look forward to all week long where we can dress […]
For some family fun with your teen, have a “Chopped” Cooking Competition! Most of us have heard of the Food Network’s cooking competition show, “Chopped,” where four chefs face off against one another to prepare an amazing three-course meal consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. The catch is that they have to use only […]
Empathy is valuing other people’s feelings and opinions. During times of stress, we want to stay connected to our family and not treat them in a harsh way. A great way to show your family some love is by “Brown Bagging It.” The following exercise comes from the Reconnecting Youth (RY) program. It is an […]
Expressing gratitude is proven to help individuals experience more positive emotions, improve their mental health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. Take time to complete this scavenger hunt; think about each object you find and the positive role it plays in your daily life. Find something outside you enjoy looking at Find something that […]
Everyone becomes overwhelmed at times! When our emotions become intense, it’s difficult to think through making positive decisions. Luckily, there are steps we can take when we are feeling over whelmed. These steps will help us get to a level of calm in which we can make healthy and positive decisions. Both of these skills […]
Mandalas are traditionally used in many eastern spiritual traditions as a tool to aid meditation. The object is to create a circle of memories and to spend time learning about what each family member holds as a significant memory for them. This activity is used to build communication, acceptance, and deeper connection. Task: Establish an […]