Helen Wheeler, The Center for Families

Welcome to Spring at the Center for Families

As always….words of wisdom from Family Life Blended. Divorce is hard enough and then a new person is added that the kids don’t know. The grownups want to celebrate and the kids want to cry. Cut them some slack.

Children are highly invested in maintaining relationship with their biological parent(s). When their mom or dad falls in love and gives their time and energy to another adult, it is natural for them to feel pushed aside, insignificant, and vulnerable. You need to move toward your children so you can move toward your new spouse.

Preparing to Blend

A challenge for all involved in divorce and it’s aftermath.

Get yourself together.

In a divorce sometimes what looks best for us is different than what looks best for the children.

Do you need to talk? Call us.

“Piglet?" said Pooh.
"Yes?" said Piglet.

"I'm scared," said Pooh.
For a moment, there was silence.

"Would you like to talk about it?" asked Piglet, when Pooh didn't appear to be saying anything further.

"I'm just so scared," blurted out Pooh.

"So anxious. Because I don't feel like things are getting any better. If anything, I feel like they might be getting worse. People are angry, because they're so scared, and they're turning on one another, and there seems to be no clear plan out of here, and I worry about my friends and the people I love, and I wish SO much that I could give them all a hug, and oh, Piglet! I am so scared, and I cannot tell you how much I wish it wasn't so."

Piglet was thoughtful, as he looked out at the blue of the skies, peeping between the branches of the trees in the Hundred Acre Wood, and listened to his friend.

"I'm here," he said, simply. "I hear you, Pooh. And I'm here."

For a moment, Pooh was perplexed.

"But... aren't you going to tell me not to be so silly? That I should stop getting myself into a state and pull myself together? That it's hard for everyone right now?"

"No," said Piglet, quite decisively. "No, I am very much not going to do any of those things."

“But - " said Pooh.

"I can't change the world right now," continued Piglet. "And I am not going to patronise you with platitudes about how everything will be okay, because I don't know that.

"What I can do, though, Pooh, is that I can make sure that you know that I am here. And that I will always be here, to listen; and to support you; and for you to know that you are heard.

"I can't make those Anxious Feelings go away, not really.

"But I can promise you that, all the time I have breath left in my body...you won't ever need to feel those Anxious Feelings alone."

And it was a strange thing, because even as Piglet said that, Pooh could feel some of those Anxious Feelings start to loosen their grip on him and could feel one or two of them start to slither away into the forest, cowed by his friend, who sat there stolidly next to him.

Pooh thought he had never been more grateful to have Piglet in his life. Begin with Yes

Enjoy!

They learn best through unstructured play and time with a loving caregiver ❤️

Working late before the holidays. There are a few appointments available next week. Give us a call! We’ll be closed the week between Christmas and New Years. . Happy Holidays. Christmas 🎄and Hanukkah 🕯️

Welcome to the Center for Families with Friday afternoon sidewalk chalk art. Thanks ladies! 👩‍🎨 👨‍🎨 🧑‍🎨