Parenting Takes More Than Love. It Takes Skills, Too!
Jim and Elizabeth Martin have three adopted children, Brianna (14), Mark (12), and Oscar (11). Elizabeth called the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition’s Crisis Intervention Team when her children’s behavior became out of hand. Elizabeth reported that Mark became increasingly aggressive, coming at them “full force.” At one point, Mark even threatened his siblings with a knife. Yelling, screaming, and cursing were a daily concern. Elizabeth and Jim weren’t only concerned with Mark.  They worried about Brianna’s tumultuous transition to high school, her falling grades, volatile interactions, and tense relationship with her father.  

With the help of Crisis Intervention, the Martin’s began using new communication skills successfully. They spent time with their Crisis Intervention Specialist focusing on their similarities, common interests, and family and individual strengths.  These commonalities and strengths helped them begin strengthening their family bonds and – allowing them to spend valuable, conflict-free time with one another. Jim and Elizabeth tell us that they value their new, better approach at parenting and that they know that each of their children need an individualized approach. There are less battles for control with the kids. Brianna spends one-on-one time with her Dad. They planned, shopped for, and cooked a meal together. They look forward to making this one on one time a part of their routine. Jim and Elizabeth have learned that Mark does his best with structure, prediction, and a non-emotional parenting approaches. Mark is participating in school activities again and the number and severity of conflicts he engages in at home has drastically reduced. Thanks to the Crisis Intervention Program at the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition, this family is no longer struggling every day.