Meet Melissa and Trinity
“Trinity* thought she ran the house.” That’s how Melissa* described the situation with her three-year-old daughter Trinity. Melissa, Trinity, and her two other daughters were living in a shelter for homeless families. The mother of three had trouble responding to her oldest daughter’s volatile behavior. She ran away from her mom when playing outside, hit her parents and sisters, and had major tantrums every day at preschool drop-off. She refused to get out of the car and screamed, hit, kicked, and flailed when her mother attempted to take her inside.
Melissa’s case manager at the shelter referred Melissa and Trinity to EFC’s Family Support Program (FSP). Melissa and Trinity began Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Melissa began building an arsenal of positive parenting strategies. Melissa’s therapist encouraged her to reserve her attention for Trinity’s good behavior when possible. When Trinity followed her mother’s directions, Melissa praised Trinity for the specifics of her good behavior. Melissa began ignoring Trinity’s minor misbehaviors when possible.
Melissa set clear limits for Trinity and began to appreciate the importance of consistency in applying parenting strategies. As they continued PCIT, Melissa noticed gradual changes in her three-year-old. Trinity was calmer; her sense of safety and security increased as her mother’s responses to her became more consistent and affirming.
By the end of their time in PCIT, Melissa and Trinity were relating to one another in a totally new way. Melissa reported that therapy had nearly eliminated Trinity’s aggressive behavior. Preschool drop-off, Melissa told EFC’s therapist, had gone from “a nightmare to a nonissue.” Indeed, Trinity used to think she ran the house, and, as Melissa said, “she did [run the house]. PCIT has helped me feel confident to be in charge, which has helped us all feel better.”
*Names have been changed to protect clients’ privacy.
This story illustrates YOUR support in action. If it weren’t for compassionate people like you, Melissa would not be able to access positive parenting strategies to assist her daughter Trinity. Unfortunately, so many families can’t afford the therapy and other resources they need to help their children thrive. With your support, kids like Trinity can flourish.
Dear reader, we want to remind you that your support and engagement allow us to make children’s better by providing free education, counseling, and support to break dysfunctional patterns of generational abuse and neglect in adults and other children’s caregivers. You have the power to ensure Durham area children can access the support they need, no matter their family’s income.
Thank you for being a hero for children!