Future Triggers
Sometimes there are things shown in these stories on a screen that might make me have big feelings, so Mommy and Daddy try to protect me from watching these things if they will make my brain think about the times I have been hurt or scared. What are these things called? What might be shown that will make you think of the past?
TV/Movies/Shows; Kids being hurt, grown ups fighting, kids having to leave their mommies, families not having a safe place to live/moving a lot, kids being adopted, etc.
This is a coping skill that is used when our bodies are all full of energy and can't stay still. Hint: It makes our muscles feel tired.
Exercise, Wrestle Daddy, 50 Jumping Jacks
In the past, I used to be left alone a lot without an adult to help me. Now I can ask _____ or _____ for help.
Mommy or Daddy (and other trusted adults)
I keep my body healthy by...
Anything that keeps Elijah's body healthy. (ex. eating healthy/enough food, exercising, sleeping, etc.)
I am _____, ______, and _____.
Any 3 positives/compliments about Elijah!
I get big feelings when I am reminded of....
Anything that is a trigger.
When my brain is telling me thoughts that make me feel scared, nervous, sad, angry, or frustrated I need to _______ ____ _______.
Change that thought!
In the past, my body was hurt by grown ups. Now, my body is safe and my parents follow the adult _____.
Rules.
I keep my brain healthy by...
Anything that keeps Elijah's brain healthy - learning, positive thoughts, sleeping, etc.
My friends and family would say that I am _____, ______, and _____.
Any 3 compliments about Elijah!
I am getting better at dealing with my big feelings when we go on trips and I worry about what will happen while we are gone at our house. This is a trigger for me sometimes because....
Any of the reasons we talked about in therapy. I used to have to move a lot, my things were taken/given away, sometimes we would come back to our house and someone else would be living there.
My dog Flappy helps me cope sometimes by giving my cuddles and kisses, but this coping skill is a little more smelly....
Flappy Farts/Deep Breaths
In the past, I thought beer made people do bad things, get angry, and become sick. Now I know that there are rules about beer that grown ups need to follow to be safe. These people follow the rules about drinking beer...
Mommy, Daddy, Granddad, etc.
I keep my heart healthy by...
Anything that keeps your heart healthy - talking about feelings, coping with feelings, joy/happiness, etc.
I am good at ______, _______, and ______.
Any 3 things Elijah is good at!
Any one thing that Elijah has a hard time talking about and is triggered by.
When I have a hard time dealing with my feelings on my own I need to ____ _____ __ ________.
Talk about my feelings to Mommy or Daddy.
In the past, I saw grown ups naked bodies and birth daddy breaking adult rules about bodies with my sister. Now I know the kid rules and adult rules about bodies, touching, and privacy. That is why in my house with Mommy, Daddy, and Ivan we do this to stay safe and have privacy with our bodies....
Anything (serious) answer. :)
Some people who love me are......
A list of people Elijah feels loved by.
One thing that might make me feel happy and sad at the same time is ________. Hint: Happy because I am in a safe family. Sad because I still think about birth mommy.
Adoption.
This is a coping skill that is used when our bodies are tense/angry/upset and needs to relax by tensing up our muscles, squeezing, and then releasing/shaking it out.
Rock and Socks aka Progressive Muscle Relaxation
In the past, I saw adults hurting each other and fighting. I saw my birth mom get hurt a lot. Now I live in a home where there is __ ________.
No fighting/hurting.
My family is healthy because...
Anything that is healthy about your family - spending time together, respecting each other, showing love, talking to each other, etc.
I can ______. I will ______. I want to _______.