“>

Week 3 and 4 of Volunteer training focused on the impact of abuse on children.

 
The group brainstormed ingredients of effective parenting:
• Supportive
• Encouraging
• Active listening
• Reliable
• Loving
• Shows interest can care
• Set boundaries – say no
• Appropriately affectionate
• Non-judgmental and open
• Role model
• No favoritism – makes time for each; make each feel special and cared about
• Teach and provide guidance
• Flexible
• Demonstrate gender equality – balance of power
• Balance friendly and parent
• Have knowledge and wisdom
• Gentleness

We discussed how abuse can impact parenting.

 
In week 4 we met with the shelter children’s counselor and discussed strategies for dealing with behavior issues. Points raised from the wisdom and experiences of the trainees:
• Speak to the child in private – avoid public embarrassment
• Use I messages (I need you to …) vs. You Messages (You can’t…)
• Give time to allow the child to deescalate
• Learn about the child – find out what works for them and be flexible
• Emphasis on positive reinforcement – articulate what you see when something good is happening
• Try Diversion or distraction – change activities
• Provide choices
• Encourage empathy – how would you feel if … was done to you?
• Provide a choice or logical consequences

An amazing group of new volunteers started training for the in-house and crisis line this week. At our first session we learned about each other, about Victoria Women’s Transition House, viewed It’s Not Like I Hit Her, did a simulation excercise to walk in the shoes of women trying to leave abuse, and had a great discussion!

Here are a few things that our wonderful volunteers do to replensih their energy: Yoga; Run; Swim; Journal; Listen to music; Sail; Bike; Take a bath; Get a massage; Be with their pets; Sit by a fire; Dance; Sing in a choir; Be in nature; Talk; Spiritual work; Hike and Read.

Books that were recommended for reading: Three Cups of Tea; Into Thin Air; Half the Sky; What is the What?; The Onion Girl; The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; Eat, Pray, Love; and The Power of Intention.

For more information on how to become a volunteer at Transition House please follow the link below:

http://www.transitionhouse.net/volunteer/

Training Dates:

http://www.transitionhouse.net/volunteer/training-dates/