Today I attending an amazing class led by Kristn Souers MA, LMHC. The class was ultimately about using a Trauma Sensitive lens to help professionals in their interactions with children and families who have experienced trauma. I’m a volunteer CASA and so I went with the goal of improving my skills in that regard. But one of her segments really spoke to me as a person and as a Mom.
Eeyore or Pollyanna? Isn’t that really what it is about? Not jus the trauma, but how we respond to it? Don’t we all know people who go all Chicken Little when they get a splinter? Don’t we also all know someone who can bear more trauma than human should have to and still stays upright?
As much as I never want my son to experience trauma: the odds are that he will…some variety or another. Most of us do, after all. the good news is that Kristen taught us today that we can teach ourselves and our children certain skills that will help us to be more resilient in the face of that future trauma. One of those skills is as simple and as complicated as believing that one can handle whatever situation that he is given.
That’s one life mantra that this family lives by. We can handle it. We may be knocked down but we will stand back up. I only hope that my son, when he “is big like Daddy” (as he loves to say) will hear my words in the back of his mind if he ever doubts himself.
“You can do it. I trust you. Just try. I believe in you. You are amazing.”