This time of year is very precarious for parents, and especially for the kids. With the extra time off due to holidays – and the “spirit” of making the season more fun and indulgent, means risk is present for drugs, alcohol and – partying! Families are busy and distracted and the extra time on hand combined with some of the holiday “pressures” makes the fun and indulgent holiday mentality a copious opportunity for indulgence and even excessiveness in harmful things- and I don’t mean holiday cookies!
From October all the way through end of January this potentially more reckless spirit is present and assertive. I find as a counselor, and even as a parent myself, that the best way to intervene on reckless living is to find a balance of involvement. Sounds simple, right? Get involved in your kids and spouses daily living, so to speak, so you can see/know what’s really going on.
But… the balance is key:
Get too involved and you’ll get shut out and pushed away and things can get worse… don’t get involved enough and no interference is possible- and things get worse!
As a counselor who works one on one with parents, kids and whole families, we can customize the involvement level and strategize the most successful formula.
By getting to know about the circumstances and the personalities involved I can coach/mentor and guide people to this effective balance that is required to save them from themselves!
If we do not find the right balance of being involved versus giving space, then we are met with resistance and downright rebellion. We see it all the time… make sense and still people reject what seems obviously helpful.
Of course, the balance is just a part of the equation. We also need to know the realities of the life-style we’re concerned about. No… not mere details, but the realities. No… not our own perceptions but the overall realities. Getting coaching/counseling and gaining insight from someone well versed, trained and involved with this on large scales can add those vital missing pieces. Don’t risk the mistakes since so much IS at stake. Take advantage of thoughts, insights and more from someone who has it. You don’t have to face your or your loved one’s issues alone. That’s crazy!
Scott Spackey is a California Registered Addiction Specialist, Interventionist, Life-Coach and Hypnotherapist. For more information, please call 661-299-1966, email: Scott@Life-Mind.com and visit www.LIFE-MIND.com.