Of all the difficult topics for parents and teens to discuss, future college and career plans should be a relatively simple one, right? Well, compared to sex, drugs, curfews, and other heated topics, college and career plans may seem pretty tame. However, these topics can be more complicated than you might think, especially if parents and teens have different views about what those future plans might look like. We’re excited to partner with Say Yes to Education Guilford for tonight’s Say Yes to College event. Here’s a preview of a few of the tips we’ll be talking about in more detail tonight:
Try to have conversations about future career and college plans in a low-pressure context. Teens can feel a lot of pressure to live up to their parents’ expectations. For some teens, this is motivating, but it can have the opposite effect for others if they feel their parents are only satisfied with extremely high achievement. Parents can work toward filling these conversations with encouragement and support and minimizing pressure.
Focus on listening to your teen to understand their values and goals. Understand that your teen’s views of future success may differ from your own, and take the extra time to listen to your teen’s perspectives on these issues. The more they feel you understand them, the more likely they’ll be to seek your guidance on this subject.
Understand that every person has their own unique educational and career path. For some people, attending a large state school is exciting, whereas others view the same school as overwhelming. As you talk about future career and college plans with your teen, keep in mind that their path may look very different from your own, and even from their siblings and friends. As a parent, you can play an important role in guiding your child to figuring out and then succeeding along the path that is right for them!
Reach out for help! Connect with resources to help you and your teen get the support needed to figure out future plans and take steps toward turning your plans into reality. Tonight’s Say Yes to College is one example of a resource that can help you with these conversations. Other resources may include your high school counselor, a professional counselor in the community, college admissions advisors, people in jobs your teen is considering for their career path, and books and websites. Don’t be afraid to reach out of additional support and information to help you and your teen make the best decisions for their future.
We hope to see you at tonight’s Say Yes to College event, but even if you can’t attend that, know that you can foster a positive dialogue with your teen to help set them on the path toward future college and/or career success!
As the parent of a teenaged boy, and a health professional who often works with teens and teaches them about physical and mental wellness, I often see and hear about – firsthand – what things our kids are stressed, depressed or anxious about. Things are so different from when I was a teenager – there were no computers, mobile phones or social media to capture every (sometimes embarrassing) move you made. Bullying wasn’t so commonplace, and it certainly couldn’t “follow you home” by way of being connected to social media 24/7. Gun violence in schools was virtually unheard of. Experiencing the death of a classmate or friend, by way of violence or suicide, was something very rare. And while peer pressure to drink, do drugs or have sex hasn’t really changed much over the years, it still somehow seemed like a kinder, simpler time back then. I often say that while I remember my high school years with a lot of fondness, I would NEVER want to be a teenager in this day and age.
Now I know many parents right now may be thinking “What?! Our kids are the most entitled generation there’s ever been!” And while it may be true that kids today have many privileges and conveniences that we didn’t have – it does NOT negate the fact that they face many stressors and traumatic experiences that many of us parents didn’t have to deal with when we were their age. For many, this is a really hard time to be a teenager in America – and as parents, we must be willing to acknowledge this and talk with our kids about hard topics, even though it can be very uncomfortable.
Research shows that our youth today suffer from depression, anxiety, and toxic stress at higher rates than ever. Let me share some statistics with you:
20-25% of teens suffer from a mental health (depression or anxiety) or substance use disorder; only about 20% get help or treatment (Mental Health in Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions of Students; NPR Ed Series, Part One, 8/31/16)
1 in 3 teens will have experienced 2 or more traumatic events by the age of 17 (this can include but is not limited to the death of a parent, divorce, extreme bullying, being physically or sexually assaulted, or living in a home where there is domestic violence, mental illness or substance abuse. (acestoohigh.com)
1 in 3 high school students report experiencing dating violence (physical, emotional or sexual; womenshealth.gov“Talking to your kids about Sexual Assault” Jerry Wiechman, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Adolescent Specialist; 4/24/17)
Suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for 15-19 yr. olds (car accidents is the 1st)
From 1999 – 2014, the suicide rate for middle school girls increased by 25%
There are approx. 5,240 suicide attempts EVERY DAY in our nation by teens in grades 7-12; thankfully, the majority of those are not successful (approx. 1,748 suicides completed in 2013; boys are 3x more likely to complete suicide than girls: pediatrics.aappublications.org“Suicide and Suicide Attempts in Adolescents” June 24, 2016)
Indeed, many mental health experts believe that our teens are on the verge of the most severe mental health crisis in decades. Further, Dr. Jean Twenge – a renown clinical psychologist – and other researchers assert that social media use (and the cyber-bullying that often comes with that) is a contributing factor in – though not the cause of – the drastic rise in depression, anxiety and suicide rates in our youth. This is, in fact, the first generation of youth that has never known life without social media.
Other than the obvious, why should parents be so concerned about these alarming statistics? Because the human brain continues to develop until the age of at least 26, and we now know through years and years of research that chronic stress and trauma in childhood (<18 yrs. old) physiologically changes brain chemistry and disrupts the normal development of the brain. This affects the pre-frontal cortex, the limbic system, and impedes neural connections in our kids’ brains – which can lead to poor judgement, and poor critical thinking and coping skills. This, in turn, can manifest in more impulsive or risk-taking behaviors by our kids, putting them at higher risk for long term mental and behavioral health disorders, substance use disorders, and yes – even chronic adverse health conditions like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Indeed, 50% of lifelong mental health disorders onset by the age of 14, and 70% onset by the age of 24. Going a step further to look at long term ramifications – these are all poor health conditions that kids could be experiencing as they grow into young adults and enter their prime childbearing years. And what THAT means, is that these are health problems that can affect their future birth outcomes and be passed down to the next generation. A woman who enters pregnancy with pre-existing mental health issues is much more likely to develop postpartum depression and other perinatal mood and anxiety disorders – which are, in fact, the #1 complication of pregnancy and childbirth AND a leading cause of premature birth. So, parents, we’re not only talking about your children’s health and well-being, we’re also talking about that of your future grandchildren!
So, what can we parents do? How can we spot red flags in our kids’ behavior and recognize the signs and symptoms of depression, chronic stress and anxiety? And how we can talk with our kids about these sensitive issues in a way that will keep them from shutting down or shutting us out?
Let me preface this with an interesting tidbit that you might find surprising…
In a survey of 1,843 teens conducted by Josh Shipp, a nationally known and award-winning teen expert and youth speaker, he asked them what they lie to their parents about, and here’s what they said:
31.6% reported lying/not admitting to their parents about having suicidal thoughts – the #1 thing they are hiding from us! (www.joshshipp.com)
19.6% report lying about sex
16.3% report lying about drugs
14% report lying about looking at porn
9.5 % report lying about everything
9% report lying about nothing
But is this an issue of our kids being liars, or is it a bigger issue of our kids not feeling comfortable or safe talking with us about these things – or not feeling they can be open and honest with us? I recently participated in a focus group of teen parents at a local high school, and two things stood out. All of them said that their parents never talked to them about sex or relationships and they wish they had. Secondly, they all said that they wish their parents would stop acting like they never did anything wrong or made a bad decision when they were a teenager, or that they were a perfect kid — because it just makes your kids think that YOU are lying to THEM! It’s actually good to talk with your kids about times when you were their age that you DID make a poor choice and what you learned from it. Or even telling them a traumatic experience you had as a teenager, how it affected you and how you sought help or learned to cope with your feelings. This creates an element of relatability and trust.
Remember that these conversations don’t have to be one big “TALK”, which can be traumatizing in and of itself for both you and your child. These can be small talks peppered throughout your child’s adolescent and teen years.
Here are some other helpful tips about recognizing warning signs and having difficult conversations with your kids:
How do you know the difference between your child “being in a funk” and being depressed? – Everyone has a bad day – or a few bad days – now and then, when you’re feeling out of sorts or upset. But if your child feels like that for a period of 2 weeks or more, it’s time to get them help. Some signs of depression are: a big change in appetite or sleep, wanting to isolate, a loss of interest in things that they usually like to do, having a flat “affect” or seeming hopeless. Parents may see this manifest in emotional outbursts, erractic mood swings, grades dropping, weight dropping, withdrawing from family and friends, or dropping out of activities.
Don’t be too quick to dismiss mood swings or emotional outbursts as “hormonal”, “just a phase”, or “typical teenage behavior” – downplaying or missing the warning signs above can have detrimental effects for your child. Depression can be an insidious disease – it is not something to take lightly, and there is absolutely no shame in getting help.
Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?!” ask “What happened to you?” – the first is more accusatory and can cause your child to shut down/clam up; the second is more supportive and can invite more discussion – i.e. “What happened to you today/this week/this year that is making you feel sad/anxious/angry? How can I help you work through this?”
Trauma is all about PERCEPTION! – i.e. if your child went through a bad break-up, or has been bullied at school or online, or maybe they didn’t make the athletic team they tried out for, or they didn’t get into the college they wanted to — even though it may not seem “traumatic” to you, it could, in fact, be traumatic to them. THEIR perception is THEIR reality.
Let’s talk about sex and relationships: You can clearly state to your children what your beliefs are around sex and healthy relationships, but try not be judgmental or “push” your beliefs on them. Again, this could be an appropriate time to share with them what your experiences were when you were their age, or even when you were older. Help your kids understand their own bodies and how they function, what personal boundaries are, and teach them about consent in a sexual relationship; no one has a right to touch them without their permission. Help them understand the more subtle forms of abuse – that in addition to physical or sexual abuse, there can also be emotional or verbal abuse – where the scars may not be visible, but can run just as deep and for a very long time. Perhaps most importantly, model healthy communication and respect in your own relationships! Our kids are often watching and listening, even when it seems like they aren’t.
And by the way, research shows that:
Teaching “abstinence only” does NOT work
Providing condoms or other contraception to teens does NOT increase the likelihood of them engaging in sex if they weren’t planning to
Talking to kids about suicide does NOT make them feel suicidal if they weren’t in the first place
Talking to teens, especially boys, about “sensitive topics” can be challenging – experts say: 1)it is hard for them to make eye contact (so don’t always insist on it, and realize that most of the time, even if they aren’t looking at you, they ARE listening to you!) 2) teens often need something to “fidget with” or have something to do with their hands to make them feel more comfortable (ok to insist they put their phone down or turn off the TV/game, but let them have a fidget spinner or a stress ball or a pencil to twirl during the conversation because, psychologically, that can “distract” them from the uncomfortableness they may feel, while still allowing them to pay attention to the conversation)
Remember that your kids may not be ready/willing to talk at the same time you are, even though they may WANT to talk with you. Sometimes you just need to open the door for a conversation – ex. “It seems like you are upset about something” or “You don’t seem like yourself today. Is there anything you want to talk about?” If answer is no, simply say “Ok, well just know I love you and I’m here to listen if and when you want to talk.” Then be patient, and wait. Often they will come to you later ready to talk, and when they do, be prepared to stop what you are doing and LISTEN, just like you said you would do.
Use movies, TV shows, events in the news as teachable moments – there are often plot lines or news stories that can be used a great opportunity to dialogue with your kids. Good examples are – “What do you think about that?” “What do you feel when you hear about something like this?” “Are things like this happening in your school or within your circle of friends?” “How would you handle that situation?” One important caveat here is to be careful about overexposure to traumatic or scary events in the news or on social media; for example – constant coverage of school shootings or of fatal car accidents involving teens. There comes a point where constant exposure can actually cause secondary PTSD in our kids and cause them to become overly fearful and anxious, or even develop phobias. But again, you need to be talking with them about this if you see cause for concern.
One final, but very important note … research out of Harvard University shows that “Every child who winds up doing well has had at least ONE stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult!” Never underestimate the power and benefit of your child having at least ONE ADULT MENTOR in their lives that they can go to or talk to about anything, and feel safe doing so. These kids stay on the right path to achieve more of their goals, and ultimately do better in life. Now, I’m going to say something that parents might find a little hard to swallow:
Try not to be offended if you’re not their “go-to” adult when they want to talk – if they are confiding in a teacher/coach/counselor/minister/relative, etc., the important thing is that they ARE talking to an adult, who can guide them through tough situations and assist them in seeking help. In addition, another responsible adult (as opposed to a peer) is more likely to encourage your child to open up to you, as well.
To quote teen expert Josh Shipp, “Every kid is ONE bad decision away from becoming a statistic, and ONE caring adult away from being a success story.” Parents who are informed about the “current state” of our teens, and who have open, honest and continuous conversations with their kids about the tough topics are more likely to prevent the former and foster the latter.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255
Teen Crisis Text Line: text “HELP” to 741741
Brenda Stubbs is a health professional who has worked in health and human services for 22 years, and specifically in maternal and child health for 16 yrs. She is professionally trained in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, Maternal Mental Health, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Resiliency, and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. She currently serves as Regional Program Coordinator for the March of Dimes’ NC Preconception Health Campaign. Brenda is also the parent of a 16-year-old old boy who has struggled with depression and anxiety for much of his life and consequently is a strong advocate for youth mental health.
As a parent with so much life experience, it can be hard to sit back and listen to your teen without pointing out the problem and attempting to give advice. Below are some helpful tips on how to listen carefully and make sure you understand what your teen is trying to say:
Stop what you’re doing and give them your full attention. Multitasking may be the most effective way to make use of your time, but when it comes to talking to your teen schedule a special time to listen. This demonstrates to your teen that they have your undivided attention and may encourage them to disclose more and ask questions.
Display attentive body language. Demonstrate non-verbally that you are there to listen. Look them in the eyes, lean forward slightly, nod encouragingly. Your body language says the most, and so will theirs. Observing your teen can provide insight into how they feel.
Don’t interrupt them. It’s hard not to jump in with opinions and questions when your teen is talking, however, letting them finish can help uncover underlying messages and problems. Decide to be interested in what they are saying not what advice you have to offer.
Restate and summarize their words. Restating helps ensure that you heard your teen correctly. If you didn’t, it gives them the chance to re-explain. It also lets them know that you are following everything they are trying to say.
Reflect their emotions and never ridicule. React sensitively to what your teen shares with you. While something they say may seem trivial to you, in their world every event is big. If you don’t agree with something tell them in an open and understanding manner so that it doesn’t push them away.
Prepare for moments of honesty and vulnerability. While talking, your teen may break down and share everything going on with them personally. Give them all time and support they need to share. These moments may be rarer for some teens than others.
Don’t follow-up with a lecture. It is difficult enough for teens to share their life with adults without being worried about being confronted immediately afterward.
Difficult conversations cover both embarrassing and controversial topics that may come up between you and your teen. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable talking to your teenager about drugs, dating, and other issues. Having an open dialogue is important and can give you the opportunity to guide your teen towards more healthy and happy decisions. Below are a few suggestions to help when faced with these conversations:
Stay calm. It is okay to acknowledge that you are shocked by a topic your teen may bring up, but it is also important to reassure them that you do want to discuss the issue.
Listen. Give your teen a chance to talk through what is going on. Instead of trying to immediately fix things, try listening to understand your teen’s perspective on the issue.
Inquire. Develop an attitude of curiosity and try to learn as much as possible. Ask questions such as “How does that make you feel?” or “How did you handle the situation?”
Refrain from judgment. Try to avoid being critical or becoming emotional. During this time, the focus should be on your teen and how they feel. Let them know you appreciate that they trust you with this information. If you need to talk to someone, reach out to another adult or someone else who is a part of your support system.
Bring up hard topics in the right setting. Conversations don’t always have to take place while sitting down. Often it is easier for teens to talk in a setting where they are comfortable. Try taking them out for ice cream or spend the day with them doing another activity, it will help them relax and open-up.
Thank them for their honesty. A thank you and/or compliment can go a long way and may help develop more of an open dialogue. Showing your teen that you appreciate their honesty can lead them to talk to you further the next time they’re confronted with a difficult situation.
Violence. Sex. Bullying. Drugs and alcohol. Dating. Planning for the future. Driving. Money. Technology. Friendships. Peer pressure. Curfews. Schoolwork. The list goes on…
It seems there’s an endless supply of difficult topics that parents need to be able to talk about with their teens, and these conversations aren’t easy to start or maintain over time! Keeping an open line of communication with teenagers is a struggle for many parents, but it’s an important part of parenting teenagers. Even as teenagers are growing in their independence, they need the positive influence and wisdom of their parents to help them navigate the increasingly complex situations they face in all areas of life.
This week, we’re turning our focus to helping parents build stronger communication with their teenage children in our Talking with Teens series that starts today. In this series, we’ll share some general tips for navigating difficult conversations with teens, as well as address some of the specific topics that often present unique challenges for parents.
If you’re the parent of a teen, you may feel like communication with your teen is slipping away. Communication during the teen years may look different than how it looked when your child was younger, and it’ll change again as they get older and become a young adult. But, take heart, and know that you can be intentional about fostering a strong relationship with your teen through healthy, ongoing communication.
In our current blog series, “There is a Village,” we’ve been highlighting the importance of building a village to support your relationships and family. One important part of building a village is knowing where to turn if you could benefit from the support of a professional counselor. Professional counseling can be helpful if you’re facing challenges in your relationships, both within and outside your family, as well as if you have concerns about your mental health.
Although seeking counseling has become more common in recent years, many people feel embarrassed about needing a counselor, as there’s still a stigma around needing this kind of help. However, there is no need to feel embarrassed about reaching out for counseling. It’s a brave step to take that you can feel proud of!
Most people feel perfectly comfortable going to a medical doctor to care for their physical health, even for a general checkup when they feel healthy. In the same way, seeking counseling is a way to care for your mental and relational health, even when things are going well. Many people meet with counselors for personal growth in their lives and relationships even when they’re not facing a crisis, but when they realize that there are areas they could improve. But, just like it’s important to know which doctor to call when you’re feeling sick, it’s especially helpful to know where to go for counseling when a more serious problem arises.
Once you’re ready to reach out for counseling, it can be difficult to know where to go. How can you tell if a counselor is right for you? What kind of counselor should you work with? How do you sort through all of the many options of counselors in our community? Can I even afford to see a counselor? These are all questions that may come to mind when you start searching for a counselor.
Here are a few steps you can take to identify potential counselors who may be a good fit for you:
First, ask for recommendations!This is one of the best ways to find a counselor, by asking people you know and trust who they recommend. As a counseling professor, I am asked for counselor recommendations probably at least once per week by people who know me, and I always welcome the chance to help connect my friends and others with counselors that I think would be a good fit to work with them. If you’re fortunate to have any friends who work in the mental health field, I’d suggest you start your search by asking them. If you don’t have any personal contacts with counselors, then consider professionals you know who might be able to offer a good recommendation, such as your doctor, your child’s pediatrician, a faith community leader, or a teacher or counselor at your child’s school. If you work in a job setting that offers an Employee Assistance Program, these also often offer referral services (often that include a few free counseling sessions as well!).
Second, if you’re unable to get any personal or professional recommendations, then you can search one or more of the online directories of counselors. Although these offer a less personal touch than asking for a recommendation from someone you know, they do offer an advantage of reaching a wider network of possible counselors, and also you can usually search by location, payment options, and areas of expertise. Some of the main directories that are available include the following:
Many counselors also have web-sites for their practice or agency, so once you’ve identified some good prospects, take some time to do some additional searching of their online profiles to get more of a sense of whether they’d be a good fit for you.
Third, if you’ll be seeking counseling with one or more other people (e.g., your partner and/or children), then also be sure to consider whether a prospective counselor is a good fit for them.Some people are very flexible about what they’d prefer to have in a counselor, whereas other people have specific preferences for what kind of counselor they’d like to see. You’ll help to set the stage for a successful counseling experience if you can locate a counselor who meets as many preferences as you can of everyone involved.
Fourth, once you’ve identified one or more good possible fits, reach out to speak with the counselor.Many counselors offer prospective clients a chance to talk by phone–and sometimes even in person–to get to know them and how they work before making a decision about whether to enter into a professional counseling relationship with them. If you have a chance to talk with a prospective counselor to see if they’re a good fit, some possible questions to ask include the following: (1) Can you describe your counseling approach to me?; (2) What experience do you have with the issue I’m facing currently?; (3) What are your fees and payment options?; (4) How often will I come for counseling sessions, how long will sessions last, and do you have any limits or expectations about how long you’d work with a client?; and (5) What kind of training have you received to work with couples or families? In a preliminary conversation like this, you’ll want to get a good feeling about the counselor and how they’re style matches your expectations for the counseling process.
Look for a counselor who explains things to you in terms you can understand. One of the most important aspects of a positive counseling experience is feeling comfortable so that you can be open and honest with the counselor about what you’re facing and build a strong working alliance for the counselor to help you create solutions to your current situation.
Finding a counselor who is a good fit for you can take some time, so it’s a good idea to identify some good prospects when things are going well and you’re not in an immediate need of help. However, it’s never too late to reach out for help, and we are fortunate in our community to have many wonderful counselors available to support people facing a wide range of challenging situations in their lives and relationships!
By Renee Paquin, Community Relations Director at Triad Family Dental
Triad Family Dental exists with one core belief: We believe that all children, regardless of family income, deserve access to quality dental care in a friendly, upbeat environment.
How do we put that belief into action?
We find opportunities to educate our community on the necessity of early childhood preventative care.
We partner with community organizations like Guilford Child Development and Partnership for Children to provide school-readiness dental screenings and other free resources.
We strive for compassion in everything we do, working to understand the barriers that can prevent families from seeking dental care for their young children.
What do those barriers look like? Admittedly, we don’t always know. Our community partners are constantly helping us understand how we can better serve the families in our community. But there are some barriers that we navigate daily: difficulty understanding dental benefits, concerns about out of pocket expense, and fear of visiting the dentist.
Let’s talk about fear. We talk to so many parents who are afraid to bring their child to the dental office because of behavioral concerns, or concerns driven by another traumatic experience. I’m here to tell you right now – this is normal, but don’t be afraid! We are fully equipped to make sure all children are able to have a non-traumatic dental experience. Our goal is to make sure you and your child are comfortable from the moment you walk in our door.
Your child will enjoy video games, movies, and a big play area while you wait. When it’s time for your appointment, one of our friendly dental assistants will bring both you and your child into our examination area. You stay with your child throughout the entire appointment, able to provide comfort and become an active participant in your child’s care. Our providers and assistants will always be willing to take the time to address your concerns, answer your questions, and coach you on proper home care to ensure we are working together to prevent cavities. If your child has special needs, we will discuss these concerns ahead of the appointment so we are able to better accommodate your child.
If your child requires treatment, we have various sedation options available in-office to keep your child relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. Again, you will be right there next to your child during the treatment. For more extensive treatment needs, a general anesthesia appointment in the hospital with either Dr. Koelling or Dr. Johnstun is an option. No matter what, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan that puts your child’s health, comfort, and safety as our top priority.
Are you unsure about what dental benefits your child has, and concerned about out of pocket expense? We don’t blame you. It can be confusing, and we are here to help.
Let’s start with Medicaid. If your child is enrolled in the Medicaid program, all dental services are covered as part of a comprehensive set of benefits. If you have another form of insurance, we will file the insurance as a courtesy to you. We’ll do our best to help you understand your benefits, and you will know an estimate of any out of pocket cost before treatment begins. No surprise bills.
Good oral health is critical to children’s ability to grow up healthy and succeed in school and life. Oral health is the window to the entire body, and every infant and child is worthy of early access to preventative oral care. If at all possible, your child should begin seeing a dentist by age one.
We are thrilled to be a part of this blog series with Healthy Relationships Initiative, where we can speak in unity with other community partners to tell Guilford County families: you are not alone. When our children are able to grow up strong, healthy, and safe – everyone in the community benefits.
You may contact Triad Family Dental by phone or find us on social media!
Zing life Services is an organization that brings care into the community. Health Education is our primary focus. We believe that everyone should be informed about their health. If you know better, then you can do better. We teach classes on a variety of topics and present in the community at health and wellness events. We also teach families what to in case of an emergency. CPR and First Aid are the signature services of the organization. We offer CPR classes to anyone who wants to learn CPR, and in fact everyone needs to know it. Zing Life Services is the provider of nurse phone triage services for a primary care office with 6 locations in Guilford County. If you care, then we care.
To contact Zing Life Services, you can reach out to them via telephone or email:
Triad Moms on Main is an online resource for moms in our community. Visit www.TriadMomsOnMain.com and you will find archived blogs and helpful tips on anything from helping a child sleep through the night to nutritional snack ideas. If you are searching for something specific, use our search bar to enter key words that you might be looking for. You can also click on the “Directories” icon to access numerous lists of resources such as child care, birthday parties, local playgrounds, and more!
At Family Support Network of Central Carolina (FSNCC), we believe in the power of creating and maintaining caring connections with our families. When a family experiences a NICU journey or receives a diagnosis that will affect them throughout the life span it can quickly change a family’s dynamic. This is an especially emotional time where families learn to come to terms with the information and forge a new path for themselves and their children.
We understand that during those difficult times of transition, feelings of fear, excitement, grief and many other emotions are experienced by parents and caregivers alike. It is during those times where we all need to have someone by our side to say, “You are not alone…we are here to help.” Family Support Network of Central Carolina’s vision is for every child to have a thriving family. It is our mission to provide support, education and caring connections to families who have a child with special needs or who experience a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay.
One of the most important commitments of Family Support Network of Central Carolina is our dedication to families within the NICU at Women’s Hospital of Greensboro. With a main office located just across the hall from the NICU, we are able to directly interact with families and support them throughout their stay and beyond. While in the NICU, families are able to receive a wide variety of supports and services during their stay. This includes our monthly NICU lunches and dinners (often provided by NICU nurses or graduate families), bi-weekly Books for Babies initiative, Home Visitation program for qualifying Guilford County residents, Baby Basics program (which assists families with baby care items and equipment needed for a successful home transition), and much more.
FSNCC also offers services and community programing for families of children with special needs in Guilford and the surrounding counties. Through our parent mentor program, trained parents are matched with another parent who is also raising a child with similar needs and challenges, and we also offer monthly support groups and free social and recreational events throughout the year.
We are most proud of the many lasting relationships we forge with families. Many of our families leave the NICU and stay connected with us for many years, whether that is for “paying it forward” by becoming a parent mentor, hosting a meal for current families, participating in one of our support groups or attending events.
The transition after a diagnosis or a NICU journey can be scary and lonely. Family Support Network often goes above and beyond in providing what families need, when they need it. We leave no stone unturned when helping a family through a crisis of any kind.
To contact Family Support Network of Central Carolina, please reach out to us via telephone, email and social media:
Facebook: Family Support Network of Central Carolina
Twitter: @fsn_cc
Instagram: @fsn_cc
Check our website for more information about our programs and services, where you can ask to be placed on our list serve to receive our monthly newsletter and calendar of events!
By Brenda Stubbs
Brenda Stubbs is a health professional who has worked in health and human services for 22 years, and specifically in maternal and child health for 16 yrs. She is professionally trained in Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, Maternal Mental Health, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and Resiliency, and Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. She currently serves as Regional Program Coordinator for the March of Dimes’ NC Preconception Health Campaign. Brenda is also the parent of a 16-year-old old boy who has struggled with depression and anxiety for much of his life and consequently is a strong advocate for youth mental health.
