Planting Seeds
Tools and Techniques for Professionals
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Overcoming Obstacles to Get Children the Help They Need
December 18th, 2012 / Planting Seeds / Elizabeth Devine
One of the foundations to helping families recover from addiction is identifying the “elephant in the living room.” The addict or alcoholic, as well as other family members, are encouraged to acknowledge the addiction as a very real problem and its impact on everyone involved. However, once the adults in a family have made steps to do this, there often still remains a great deal of resistance to involve the children. In this article, we will discuss common statements we hear from those who are hesitant to involve their children in our program, as well as our attempts to address these...
December 18th, 2012 / Planting Seeds / Elizabeth Devine
One of the foundations to helping families recover from addiction is identifying the “elephant in the living room.” The addict or alcoholic, as well as other family members, are encouraged to acknowledge the addiction as a very real problem and its impact on everyone involved. However, once the adults in a family have made steps to do this, there often still remains a great deal of resistance to involve the children. In this article, we will discuss common statements we hear from those who are hesitant to involve their children in our program, as well as our attempts to address these...
Possessing What We Give
December 18th, 2012 / Planting Seeds / Peggy McGillicuddy
Working with children can be tough at times, as well as inspiring. No matter how long I've been doing it, there are times when I feel my heart breaking. I may connect with a certain child or their story. I might have memories of when I was a child. My own grief issues can surface. Self-care is crucial. I am reminded of this as I train others, especially those who are new to the work. Here are some things to remember: Give yourself permission to make mistakes. This is very important. I am notorious for beating myself up if I think I could have handled a situation...
December 18th, 2012 / Planting Seeds / Peggy McGillicuddy
Working with children can be tough at times, as well as inspiring. No matter how long I've been doing it, there are times when I feel my heart breaking. I may connect with a certain child or their story. I might have memories of when I was a child. My own grief issues can surface. Self-care is crucial. I am reminded of this as I train others, especially those who are new to the work. Here are some things to remember: Give yourself permission to make mistakes. This is very important. I am notorious for beating myself up if I think I could have handled a situation...
Kudos to News Special on Kids of Alcoholics – Lesson Plan Available
November 9th, 2011 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
We are delighted to share the news that on September 10, 2011, the Television Academy gave a nod to a very important video program. "Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics" received the award for Best Children's Nonfiction Reality or Reality-Competition Program in the Creative Arts portion of the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. This is not the first award received by the special that features Jerry Moe, National Director, Betty Ford Children’s Program, as the subject matter expert. Earlier this year, the 15th Annual PRISM Awards recognized...
November 9th, 2011 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
We are delighted to share the news that on September 10, 2011, the Television Academy gave a nod to a very important video program. "Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Under the Influence: Kids of Alcoholics" received the award for Best Children's Nonfiction Reality or Reality-Competition Program in the Creative Arts portion of the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. This is not the first award received by the special that features Jerry Moe, National Director, Betty Ford Children’s Program, as the subject matter expert. Earlier this year, the 15th Annual PRISM Awards recognized...
Keeping Kids Engaged: Effective Facilitation of Educational Support Groups for Children
June 15th, 2011 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
For those of us who run educational support groups for school-age children, having an amazing activity with an incredible message doesn’t always mean that kids will be interested or that they will “get” it. The key to a successful activity is more in the delivery than anything else. Anyone who has ever worked with elementary age children knows that it is not as easy as it sounds. The best laid plans can easily fall apart, and before you know it, you’re a group facilitator that has lost the group. Needless to say, it can feel frustrating to look around at a roomful of people...
June 15th, 2011 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
For those of us who run educational support groups for school-age children, having an amazing activity with an incredible message doesn’t always mean that kids will be interested or that they will “get” it. The key to a successful activity is more in the delivery than anything else. Anyone who has ever worked with elementary age children knows that it is not as easy as it sounds. The best laid plans can easily fall apart, and before you know it, you’re a group facilitator that has lost the group. Needless to say, it can feel frustrating to look around at a roomful of people...
The 7 C’s
February 1st, 2011 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
(Ages 7 and up) From the book Discovery . . . Finding the Buried Treasure by Jerry Moe This activity goes beyond helping youngsters understand that family addiction is not their fault. While this game helps children know in their hearts that they are not responsible for their parents' problems, it also guides them in learning how they can take good care of themselves. Youngsters come to realize that self-care is ultimately their most important responsibility. DESCRIPTION The facilitator distributes the updated 'Alphabet Soup Revisited' sheets (see example at the end of this...
February 1st, 2011 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
(Ages 7 and up) From the book Discovery . . . Finding the Buried Treasure by Jerry Moe This activity goes beyond helping youngsters understand that family addiction is not their fault. While this game helps children know in their hearts that they are not responsible for their parents' problems, it also guides them in learning how they can take good care of themselves. Youngsters come to realize that self-care is ultimately their most important responsibility. DESCRIPTION The facilitator distributes the updated 'Alphabet Soup Revisited' sheets (see example at the end of this...
Kids’ Bill of Rights
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
You have the right to be yourself. You have the right to ask for help. You have a right to your own opinions. You have the right to make mistakes. You have the right to your own feelings. You have the right to share your feelings with safe people. You have the right to think good thoughts about yourself. You have the right to expect a safe home. You have the right to dislike someone else’s behaviors. You have the right to choose your own behaviors. You have the right to grow at your own pace. You have the right to know...
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
You have the right to be yourself. You have the right to ask for help. You have a right to your own opinions. You have the right to make mistakes. You have the right to your own feelings. You have the right to share your feelings with safe people. You have the right to think good thoughts about yourself. You have the right to expect a safe home. You have the right to dislike someone else’s behaviors. You have the right to choose your own behaviors. You have the right to grow at your own pace. You have the right to know...
COUNSELOR’S TOOLBOX: Bag of Rocks
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
A Tool to Address Stuffed Problems and Feelings (Ages 7 and up) This experiential exercise helps children to kinesthetically understand the consequences of holding problems and feelings inside. In a fun way, it also introduces them to the recovery process of identifying problems and expressing feelings. Youngsters actually experience freedom by initiating this process for themselves. Description: With the children sitting in a circle, the group facilitator places a tote bag in the middle. Unbeknownst to the kids the bag is full of brightly colored rocks, each with a problem...
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
A Tool to Address Stuffed Problems and Feelings (Ages 7 and up) This experiential exercise helps children to kinesthetically understand the consequences of holding problems and feelings inside. In a fun way, it also introduces them to the recovery process of identifying problems and expressing feelings. Youngsters actually experience freedom by initiating this process for themselves. Description: With the children sitting in a circle, the group facilitator places a tote bag in the middle. Unbeknownst to the kids the bag is full of brightly colored rocks, each with a problem...
“12 Steps for Parents”
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
From ‘12 Steps for Parents’ by Dr. Patricia O’Gorman and Philip Diaz, MSW It is important to remember that parenting is always a struggle between love and fear. As parents, we try to control our children in an attempt to protect them from any painful experiences. The best you can do as a parent is be an example and encourage your children to their fullest by being all that you can be. As a recovering parent you will need to take responsibility for learning about your children and developing new parenting strategies so that you may open new avenues of communication and self...
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
From ‘12 Steps for Parents’ by Dr. Patricia O’Gorman and Philip Diaz, MSW It is important to remember that parenting is always a struggle between love and fear. As parents, we try to control our children in an attempt to protect them from any painful experiences. The best you can do as a parent is be an example and encourage your children to their fullest by being all that you can be. As a recovering parent you will need to take responsibility for learning about your children and developing new parenting strategies so that you may open new avenues of communication and self...
“Growing Up In An Alcoholic Family”
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
Lost Childhood : Growing Up In An Alcoholic Family is a half-hour program told in three parts. The first part begins in 1986 at a summer camp retreat for young children of alcoholics. The children speak about their experiences with an honesty and wisdom beyond their years. Many of these children know they are at high risk of becoming alcoholics themselves. Part two takes place 17 years later as we follow up with two of the children from 1986 who are now adults. Through their experiences, we explore the long-term impacts of living with alcoholism in the family. The third part...
September 22nd, 2010 / Tools and Techniques for Professionals / Betty Ford Institute
Lost Childhood : Growing Up In An Alcoholic Family is a half-hour program told in three parts. The first part begins in 1986 at a summer camp retreat for young children of alcoholics. The children speak about their experiences with an honesty and wisdom beyond their years. Many of these children know they are at high risk of becoming alcoholics themselves. Part two takes place 17 years later as we follow up with two of the children from 1986 who are now adults. Through their experiences, we explore the long-term impacts of living with alcoholism in the family. The third part...
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