Family relationships can be hard sometimes.
Just ask parents Annie and Tom, and their daughter Megan, who spent alternating weeks between her parents’ separate homes.
Like many families, Annie and Tom had joint custody of Megan, trying to provide her with the love, support, and boundaries that kids need. Unfortunately, Annie and Tom had different ideas of what that looked like and had different house rules for Megan to navigate. Over time, this caused more fights between Annie and Megan, who felt her mom was too strict compared to her dad.
After an especially big fight with her mom one day, Megan called a crisis line for help. That’s when she learned about Children’s Home Society of Washington and their WISe program (Wraparound with Intensive Services).
Little did she know then that her simple act of asking for help would eventually change all their lives for the better.
The WISe staff called their family and conducted an initial assessment by phone. Program staff then followed up with a home visit to conduct a more comprehensive assessment.
“They said we were good candidates for the WISe program, which gave us some hope,” Annie said.
Annie, Tom, and Megan began meeting with a child and family therapist each month and were also paired with peer supports. Annie and Tom also enrolled in our Positive Parenting Program knowing something had to change because what they were doing wasn’t working.
Healthy communication was key to their progress.
“We learned to have discussions together with Megan, not alone, so there could be no ‘he-said, she-said’,” shared Annie.
Family meetings have also been instrumental in helping them create house rules and consequences that everyone can agree on.
Annie and Tom will tell you the biggest lesson they learned is that parents make mistakes the same as kids. And equally important, how crucial it is to own up to them and apologize in order to move forward.
Today, their home is a more peaceful place.
“We have come a long way in a short time. These days it is rare that we have a blow-up,” Annie beams. “We usually have calm conversations and can talk through any situation. The rules, consequences, and reward systems have alleviated most of the tensions we had in the home, and it really makes for a smooth-running household,” she shared.
“I have to say, telling [our] story doesn’t feel like it fully shares how life-changing our experience was. Looking back now, I see how far things have come and how changed our relationship is. We could not be more thankful to the program and all the tools they have provided to us,” exclaimed Annie with a gleaming smile.
Children’s Home Society of Washington offers an array of behavioral health and family support programs that are tailored to address the specific set of needs of each family.
Your support directly impacts families like Annie and Tom’s who felt like they walked through fire and came out the other side stronger and more resilient.
Today, their family is happier, and their future is bright.