Check out this encouraging bit of news in Jane's new story on ACES Too High entitled "Troubled moms and dads learn how to parent with ACEs." (It's also on ACEsConnection.com.)
"Since April 2014, more than 1,100 parents have learned about ACEs in parenting classes in three jails and two treatment facilities in Davidson and Rutherford counties, and in four classes at the Family Center. The entire set of parenting classes lasts eight weeks; in the county jails, they last six weeks.
After taking the course, most parents develop much more empathy for their children, and most lower their risk for physically punishing their children."
Arming people with education is powerful. Sharing information can be a way to change and improve behavior.
Not just for people in treatment or jail but for all of us.
It's tricky when it comes to personal and important topics such as parenting, abuse and recovery to talk openly and honestly.
It's hard to be honest, without shaming people. How do we stay accountable and aware of the impact of our own behavior and also understand the impact that the behavior of others had or has on us?
How do we change, mid parenting, to learn new skills, information and approaches?
Honesty is necessary but shame shuts people down.
Shame and blame keep people from admitting what they (as in we) are struggling with.
Discussions, dialogues and education can make huge change.
Therapy, without education, is limited. It might help people understand why we do what we do but doesn't always help us learn what to do instead.
I love the educational approaches to almost anything. I love it as a parent and in any kind of role where I am giving or getting support. That's true if it's peer to peer or expert and student.
Teaching, guiding and discussing are way different than judging, fixing or diagnosing people.
Or parents.
But it's hard.
When it comes to adversity, neglect and abuse sometimes crimes have been committed and people have been injured. That can't be minimized and ignored.
I like this article because it shows how welcome parents are to ACEs education and information.
Another quote from Jane's piece:
"The approach taken by the Family Center educators is to use ACEs as a tool to empower parents and not guilt them. They educate parents on the healing power of safe, stable and nurturing relationships and how these reduce the severity of the risks of adverse childhood experiences.
“If they are part of a cycle that they become aware of,” says Martin, “they want to know what they can do about it. It’s very powerful for them.”
I can't get enough of these stories and the practical and personal ways people use ACEs info. in parenting and supporting parents.
The full article is here (ACEsTooHigh) or here (ACEsConnection), and two blog posts below this one. ;-)
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