What
Can You Expect From Your Parent Support Group?
Support Groups
Cannot:
Provide quick solutions to
problems. Often people turn to a support group with the
expectation that the problem will resolved within a few sessions.
Some feel that the only reason to turn to outsiders for help is to
solve the problems and do so quickly, even though the problems
have been building up for months or years. Many problems do not
have a solution and sometimes the realization of this fact is
something that is gained from participating in a support
group.
Support Groups
Can:
- Help you feel less alone
in dealing with the problem.
- Provide a wealth of
information from members about where to turn for help with a
particular problem -- from recommended reading material, to
information on dealing with agencies, courts, institutions, etc.,
to suggesting attorneys or therapists the individuals in the group
have found to be most knowledgeable and helpful with that type of
problem.
- Brainstorm with the group
to come up with ideas on approaches to try in dealing with a
problem that have worked successfully for others in the past.
- Give you courage and
support in taking difficult steps that may be necessary to
bring about change.
- Help you to open up and
express feelings (often very negative ones) with a "safe"
group who understand and admit to having the same or similar
feelings at various times.
- Give a feeling of
empowerment that comes from taking constructive action on a
problem rather than denying it or sitting around and feeling
helpless about the problem.
- Show that there are people who
are willing to share their knowledge, experiences and feelings
and that they care about helping one another.
- Sometimes bring about
change in a community through group action in dealing with a
problem.
Most adoptive and foster parent
groups do much more at their meetings than sit around and talk about
problems, but if you pay close attention you'll see the points listed
above taking place. An arm around a shoulder, a child seeing other
children and not feeling so different, a parent grateful for a
listening ear - whether the focus of the meeting is social, or a
guest speaker or an outing, support can and does take place. Take
time to know the people, to share your concerns and to offer your
experiences. The results may be surprising.
Source: Peggy Dunlop, Adoptive Families
Association of Tompkins County, NY
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NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
410 East Upland Road • Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0034 • fax 607-272-0035
office@nysccc.org
08/04/04