Happy February! February is an important month for our families at Sheltering Wings – especially our teens! February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This month, our focus is on empowerment, positive values, boundaries and expectations, positive identity, and support.
Let’s break those down a bit… Here’s why they’re important for everyone (not just teens).
Empowerment
Let’s take some time this week to think about how we can empower ourselves and those around us!
1) Take time to listen to your kids and teens. Their voice matters!
2) Celebrate your own small achievements! You deserve to be empowered.
3) Make a list of ways you have power in your life!
4) Say something positive about yourself (or your child or teen.)
All of these are great ways to be empowered!
Positive Values
Positive Values are an important part of what makes you YOU! Kindness, compassion, honesty, following laws and rules – are all positive values. Positive values are important to our health and wellness.
Talk with a trusted friend about what positive values you want to strengthen! Maybe you decide it’s important to choose kindness more often! Or you could add some structure to your life by going to sleep and waking up at the same time each day. Whatever you choose, small steps are successful steps! Positive values are built slowly and over a long period of time. Be gentle and kind to yourself as you find out what values are important to you.
Boundaries & Expectations
Boundaries & Expectations are healthy and promote wellness! They are important because they give clear messages about what’s expected. Every day, you face many options and choices. Boundaries and expectations provide you with the support you need to choose wisely!
Let’s take some time to focus on what healthy boundaries and expectations look like in your life! This can be for yourself or for the whole family. Ask yourself these questions:
1) What are some expectations in relationships that keep me healthy and safe?
2) What boundaries can I enforce that keep me healthy and safe? Make a list of boundaries and expectations you can start to add to your life today!
Positive Identity
Positive Identity has an important part to play in our health and wellness. Did you know that positive identity is more than just self-esteem? Positive Identity is also measured by how we view ourselves through success and failure, our actions and words, and even our worth to the world around us. So how can we build up our positive identity?
Here are some ideas:
1) Speak kind words over yourself and others.
2) Set a small goal, accomplish it, then celebrate your success!
3) Consider what your purpose is through prayer or meditation.
4) Adopt a self-care routine!
Support
Supportive, healthy relationships make a big difference! We can find support through family, friends, mentors, support groups, therapy, and more. Did you know that support is just as important for adults as it is for children and teens? Families are healthier and stronger when they have a solid support system inside and outside of the home.
Here are some ways you can build up your support system, for yourself and your children:
1) Have a positive family conversation at the dinner table. (Even better with no electronics!)
2) Find somewhere in the community to volunteer.
3) Talk to your child’s teacher about how to help in the classroom and at home.
4) Get involved in a support group or therapy.
5) Be a quiet listening ear when your child is upset.
All of these are great ways to be supportive, and build a support system around you!
Together, we can make our community safer for everyone – even our teens! Follow along with us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube) for all things Sheltering Wings, Teen Dating Violence Awareness, and updates on future blog posts!
