a Resource for First-Time Caregivers

Enjoy the ride

a Resource for First-Time Caregivers

01

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dive into expectations

Dip into Love Languages

expectations around the developing changes.

Discuss

Emotional bonding is important (Smith & Hamon, 2022). Learn to speak multiple love languages.Language Quiz:

Learn your baby's temperament (Holmes et al., 2013).

03

Feeling like a fish out of water?

What's your EQ?

Get back into it with openness, flexibility, and stability (Smith & Hamon, 2022).

04

Holmes et al. (2013) suggests communicating. Here's a couple's communication workbook.

Read More

swimming in circles ?

05

The ripple effect

06

(Smith & Hamon, 2022)

It's not about who started it...or who will end it. The secrets to successful change are:

prepare to swim deeper

(Smith & Hamon, 2022)

Find what works for you! Discover your couple strengths and areas for growth through the $35 Prepare/Enrich Assessment

1) elements

AND

2) processes

Rhythm and Cadence Family Services, LLCwww.rhythmandcadence.com

(Palouse Mindfulness, 2018)

The Blame Game is no Fun

Hydration is Imporant

Healthy Families Function Better

Family systems stay hydrated with these ideas: OPENNESS: Boundaries that welcome important things in and keep unnecessary things out prevent entropy, which is a "loss of energy, connection, and focus" (Doherty, 1997, p. 175). FLEXIBILITY: Allows for changes and choice for growth and strength (Smith & Hamon, 2022). STABILITY: Supportive expectations, emotional bonds, and mutual "acceptance and love despite differences of opinion" will stabilize the family (Smith & Hamon, 2022, p. 165).

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An Interdependent System

What are your variables?

• GOALS = what are you going for as an individual and as a family?
• ROLES = who plays what? How does power differentials reinforce these roles?
• CHOICE = how does your family interact with the external external environment?
• RULES = what's acceptable? These define your family.

(Smith & Hamon, 2022)

Navigate Uncharted Waters Together(Holmes et al., 2013)

• Expect stress : Discuss where and how to get help.

• Expect your wisdom to grow : Discuss roles and responsibilities.
• Expect mistakes and growth : Revise your expectations.

• Expect to miss old feelings and to appreciate new feelings : Discuss ways to support your mental health.

• Expect to enjoy your new family system : Discuss ways to celebrate every day.

'Famliy Function' results from your family's processes.

How do you do things?

(Smith &Hamon, 2022)

Water is usually seen as harmless; but when making soap, an explosion will occur if water is added to lye. If lye is added to water, however, an explosion will not occur. The independent variables are not the problem, it's the process that makes a difference.

It's everyone's job to:

• Take responsibility for their own part, not others'.
• Watch out for, address, and avoid conflicting messages.
• Be Curious, Be Real, Show Care.

Use Johari's Window to better understand behaviors in context.

(Smith &Hamon, 2022)