Family Trauma-part 8

I am in a series that is taken from an article in Group magazine called, Coaching Kids Through A Family Trauma.Once again, no quotes as I am copying the article in full.  My thoughts however will be in Orange.

7.  To have someone coach them to “live in the light” with their “family secret.”

Young people in traumatized families often feel embarrassed and ashamed.  For example, family and friends usually bring food, send cards, and visit when someone is sick or recovering from an injury.  That’s not the same for mental illness or emotional problems-kids often have to endure ignorant, hurtful comments and isolation, putting an exclamation point on their struggles.  you can empower your kids by coaching them in how to relate to their friends’ unkind comments.  Help them determine who is and isn’t safe to talk to about their struggles.

Many students don’t feel they have the “safeness” to talk to others about the issues they are dealing with at home or at school.  In turn they hold it in and handle the best way they know how, which usually ends in someone getting hurt.