How would you describe your family?
Bonus points! 😊
What is domestic violence?
DV is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions.
What are some boundaries that are important to you in relationships (friends, family, etc.)
Discussion
Bonus point 😊
Some examples of boundaries include: physical (hugs, personal space, safe play, consent, etc.), emotional (limits, respectful communication, emotional responsibility, privacy in relationships), time, and property.
Bonus question: Practice setting a boundary with your therapist.
What are mental health problems/struggles?
Mental health problems are when a person’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors make it hard for them to feel okay or do everyday things. Just like our bodies can get hurt or sick, our minds and emotions can have tough times too.
Some examples of mental health problems include:
Feeling very sad for a long time, even when good things happen
Worrying a lot, even when there’s nothing big to be afraid of
Getting angry easily and not knowing why
Having trouble paying attention, sleeping, or eating
Not enjoying things that used to be fun
Name three ways you can calm yourself down when you're feeling angry or upset.
No wrong answer :) Your coping skills have to work for you! And everyone's look different.
Bonus point: What does "coping skill" mean?
What is the difference between fighting and disagreeing?
Disagreeing involves having different opinions or views on a subject, while fighting is a more aggressive form of conflict characterized by hostility, disrespect, and potentially physical altercations. Disagreements can be constructive, leading to different perspectives and potentially solutions. Fighting, on the other hand, is typically destructive and can damage relationships.
How do you define a relationship? What are some traits of a positive relationship?
A positive relationship is when two people care about each other and show it in the way they talk, listen, and act. It’s not about being perfect or doing everything together 24/7, but more about trust, respect, and support. You feel safe being yourself around them, whether that means showing your funny side, venting about a bad day, or sharing something super personal.
What is the best way to know how someone is feeling?
1. Listen to Their Words
2. Look at Their Body Language and Face
Sometimes people don’t say how they feel, but their body gives clues. You can notice:
Are they smiling or frowning?
Do they look tired, upset, or nervous?
Are they sitting quietly or acting differently than usual?
3. Ask in a Kind Way
If you think someone might be feeling sad, mad, or worried, it’s okay to ask. You can say:
“Are you okay?”
“You seem a little down. Do you want to talk?”
“I’m here if you need someone.”
If you could have any super power, which one would you choose?
Bonus points! 😊
Is it ever the child's fault if grown-ups in a family are fighting?
Nope - never! Adults are responsible for their actions, and domestic violence is never the child's fault.
Create your own question!
Bonus point :)
What is trauma?
Trauma is what happens when someone goes through something really scary, upsetting, or hurtful, and it leaves a strong impact on their mind or body. It’s like when something bad happens, and even after it’s over, you still feel afraid, sad, or confused.
How trauma can make people feel:
You might have nightmares or scary thoughts
You might feel jumpy or nervous all the time
You might feel really sad or angry, even if you don’t know why
Sometimes people try to forget what happened, but the feelings stick around
What is something you feel proud of yourself for?
Bonus point :)
Create your own question! (Or discussion topic)
Bonus point :)
How might someone who's being bullied feel?
Bonus point! Feelings aren't "wrong."
While there's no one way someone might feel after being bullied, here are some ways someone who’s being bullied might feel:
Sad or Depressed
Being picked on or left out over and over can make someone feel really down, like they don’t matter or something’s wrong with them.
Scared or Nervous
They might worry about going to school or being around certain people. They may feel like they’re walking on eggshells, just trying to avoid being hurt again.
Alone or Left Out
Bullied kids often feel like no one understands what they’re going through, or like they have no friends. This loneliness can feel really heavy.
Embarrassed or Ashamed
They might feel like it’s their fault or be too embarrassed to tell anyone what’s happening. They may even blame themselves, even though it’s never their fault.
Angry or Frustrated
Sometimes the pain turns into anger. They might feel like yelling, crying, or wanting to get back at the bully—even if they know that’s not the right choice.
Confused
They might wonder, Why me? What did I do wrong? It can be hard to understand why someone is being so mean.
How do you know when your caregiver is angry? Sad? Happy?
No wrong answers :)
Bonus question: How does your caregiver's responses to emotions make you feel?
Name three things you like about yourself?
Bonus point! 😊
What are some healthy ways of resolving problems or conflicts?
• Use calm words and "I" statements. For example, "I felt hurt when that happened."
• Listen to understand, not just to respond. Use reflective statements to help understand each other. For example, "What I hear you saying is ____. Is that the way you mean it?"
• Try to solve the problem together. For example, ask, "What can we do so that we both feel okay about this?"
• Take a break if you're too upset. It's okay to say something like, "I need some time to calm down. Can we finish this conversation in an hour?"
What would an ideal relationship with a caregiver look like?
Bonus point!
What is grief? How do people express their grief?
Grief is the big group of feelings we have when we lose someone or something important to us. Most often, it happens when someone we love dies, but people can also feel grief when a pet dies, a friend moves away, parents get divorced, something really important changes.
Expressing Grief:
There is no "right" or "wrong" way to grieve. Grief can be complicated and often involve multiple feelings at once, or feelings in different cycles. Grief may look like: crying, feeling numb, isolating, getting angry, feeling tired.
Bonus point: