11/24/20: A summary by Dawn Stallings, Extension Agent, 4-H Youth Development.
Onslow County held Session B of Powerful Families on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from 6pm to 7:30pm via ZOOM. Participants included four facilitators and two families. Each family consisted of one parent and one youth.
Lee Stiles welcomed the families to Session B and provided a brief overview of what to expect in the session. Youth began by playing a game of Charades. Each took turns acting out and guessing activities that are done throughout the day by them and their caregivers. Youth had fun during the activity and it provided a nice segue into a discussion on how to respond to stressful situations. Youth compared the difference between a stressful response and a positive response. Facilitators introduced the method of Reflexive Listening and youth acted out positive responses to stressed out situations using the suggested steps provided to them. The youth session was concluded and youth were encouraged to practice using Reflexive Listening.
The caregiver session began with a discussion on how youth culture is different today compared to when they were a child. Caregivers agreed that youth today experience added stressors as a result of culture influences and social media. Facilitators presented the Reflexive Listening method to the caregivers and allowed them the opportunity to practice. Facilitators explained how validation is added on to the Reflexive Listening process as a way to acknowledge their child’s feelings. Facilitators had fun role playing scenarios with the caregivers allowing them to practice a few times each.
One caregiver said that the Reflexive Listening exercise is going to help her communicate with her child a whole lot better. The caregiver session ended with a summary of what to expect during the family session.
