What Can I Expect At A Family Gathering?
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Who is this for?
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Should I bring anything?
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CHILDCARE AND DINNER PROVIDED FREE.
You were never meant to do this alone! Too many of us feel like we're the only ones experiencing what our kids do. You're not alone. Families are strengthened in community. At our Family Gatherings, you can connect with other foster and adoptive families, while the kids connect with kids & families that look like theirs. You will be encouraged, supported, and prayed for.
When you arrive, you can expect to be greeted warmly, made to feel at home and introduced to others who share similar experiences.
Please take off your shoes, give your coats to the host and fill out a name tag for everyone in your family.
1. Come Hungry!
7. Be willing to share & connect.
You were never meant to do this alone! Too many of us feel like we're the only ones experiencing what our kids do. You're not alone. Families are strengthened in community. At our Family Gatherings, you can connect with other foster and adoptive families, while the kids connect with kids & families that look like theirs. You will be encouraged, supported, and prayed for.
When you arrive, you can expect to be greeted warmly, made to feel at home and introduced to others who share similar experiences.
Please take off your shoes, give your coats to the host and fill out a name tag for everyone in your family.
1. Come Hungry!
- We're buying your whole family dinner!! Your meal will be catered by a local caterer.
- Menu is emailed a day or two prior and includes gluten & dairy-free options.
- If your child will not eat from the menu, please feel free to bring them something they will eat.
- We will start on time to be respectful of everyone's time.
- When you arrive, keep your children with you. We will wait a few minutes for everyone to arrive and then give some announcements.
- Take care of your children by getting them a plate of food and (if necessary) helping them eat & finish their meal before getting your meal.
- After your children are done eating, take them over to the childcare volunteers and introduce yourself and your children before allowing them to play.
- Let your children know that these adults are in charge of them for the next 2 hours and can get them food, water, take them to the bathroom, and give hugs if necessary. (This helps children feel safe.)
- Make sure your children know that the childcare volunteers are "in charge". If they have a need; they don't need to come to you, the childcare volunteers can meet it. (See #4 above)
- This will help you enjoy an uninterrupted time together with the other adults.
7. Be willing to share & connect.
- We're here to empathize with each other, not fix each other's problems. Our primary goal is creating a community of people who "get it".
- If someone is seeking a solution, feel free to share your opinion.
- Sharing your story, your triumphs, and your struggles fosters connection and community. This is a place to be real and non-judgmental with each other about your joys and struggles. If things get off topic or feel tense at all, the leader will always bring us back on track.
- We believe it's encouraging to be prayed for. We'll pray for you.
- You can pray for others, if you desire, but no one will force you to pray.
- You'll be in charge of your kids as soon as our group ends.
- Please thank our childcare volunteers for volunteering their time.
Trust-Based ParentingWe use the Trust-Based Parenting DVD as our launching point for discussions. Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) was developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis at Texas Christian University's Institute of Child Development. TBRI is Attachment-Based, Trauma-Informed, Whole-Child, Multi-Systemic & Evidence-Based model widely accepted throughout the world for its effectiveness. It helps parents build connection and trust with the children they care for.
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