Transitioning Well

Our counselors led our transitions workshop, exploring the shared experiences that families may go through during their transition.

Meabh began by exploring some of the challenges that we face in the process of transitioning and the emotions that might be experienced. Recognising and acknowledging those experiences and emotions is an important part of the process.

Diana highlighted a number of the questions and anxieties that parents and children might be experiencing and how to navigate through these concerns.  Some ideas to consider include:

• Ask open ended questions
• Listen and validate their feelings (even when negative)
• Use book a article as a conversation starter
• Do an engaging activity together

Meabh introduced the RAFT framework to support the next steps:

• Reconciliation
• Affirmation
• Farewells
• Think Destination

Parents shared some reminders and tips of things that have helped them in transitions in the past, including making memory boxes, collecting artefacts that remind them of their experiences and keeping a record of friends who they want to stay in touch with.

Diana and Meabh went on to share a wide range of resources, tips and tools that can support transition and specifically the experience of being a third culture kids.  If you would like to see the full range of slides please see the link here.

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