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Share your information and experiences with us! Believe it or not, sharing your Personal Story could be a start to your or someone else's trauma healing.
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My Life Program

I was so frustrated and exhausted by the end of the day; I had no quality fun time with my girls. After I commuted 45 minutes from work, picked up my girls from daycare, fixed dinner and checked homework, I was a frazzled harried mess. A friend suggested that I 'cut out all the unimportant slices' from my life. I laughed in her face. She insisted, so I kept a list, of sorts, of all my activities for 2 full weeks. I found that there were several commitments where I could detangle myself.
  • Being the girls' assistant soccer coach
  • Heading up the social committee at work
  • Gossiping on the phone about this or that
  • Staying up late to watch TV
  • Surfing the Internet

My excuse for these activities was that they gave me time to "relax and unwind." Instead, it was eating up valuable time and energy. Now, I stick to a schedule - I call it my Life Program. Before I do anything, or say 'yes' to another request, I ask myself 'is this contributing to the life and health of my girls and me?' If the answer to this is 'no' then I don't do it.
 
Sandwich Model of Criticism

I learned something called the 'Sandwich Model of Criticism' when I was a first year teacher. The school principle told me that when I had to speak with a child, a colleague, or anyone about concerns, I should make a sandwich. She told me to 'place a bun of praise' on the plate first - compliment them and share some great things about their performance. Second, slowly and carefully place the 'hot meat on the bun' - choose your words of correction carefully and if possible encourage while you criticize. Don't burn others with your words. Last, place the top bun of praise on top of the meat - give another compliment and words of encouragement on how the person can succeed. Criticism is easier to swallow when it is prepared with twice as much praise. This model has helped me significantly with communicating with my kids and everyone else.
 
Diagnostic: Depression

Lilly, my daughter, was complaining of shortness of breath. We took her to see her pulmonologist assuming it was her asthma. Well, the pulmonologist spoke with Lilly's pediatrician and her psychiatrist because he didn't see anything wrong with her breathing. I was shocked when they concluded that the symptoms were caused by depression. We had to make some changes in our lifestyle and Lilly is now on medication to control her depression. It was really surprising, and wonderful to me to see the doctors were that concerned. I am so glad they worked together as a team, it has really paid off, Lilly is doing just great!

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