Learn what to say when you’re at a loss for words

Stressful life events—everything from putting a favorite pet down, to a military deployment, to a life-changing diagnosis—happen to every family. And when they do, it can be difficult to know how to talk to your children about it.

Talking Points is a free, one-hour, time-sensitive consultation for parents dealing with a stressful life event. In a single session, a trained professional will talk you through what behaviors to expect from your child, when to worry, and what you can say and do to best support them, all based on their age and stage of development. At the end of the session, you will be equipped with the words, strategies, and confidence you need to talk through even the most difficult changes in your family.

Here are real-life situations where we provided immediate support to families through our Talking Points program:

• A mother of daughters 11 and 13 faces her husband’s final days at home with hospice care. She worries about how she can support her children.
• The family’s twelve-year-old beloved golden retriever needs to be euthanized. How to tell the five -and eight-year-old children.
• Nana has dementia. Knowing how much to share, when and what words to use to a ten-year-old.
• A young Dad takes a nap and never wakes up. His 5th-grade son finds him.
• A father of two young girls is being deployed for eight months.
• A Dad suffers from late-stage pancreatic cancer. How does the Mom tell her 6- and 8-year-old children he is entering hospice care?
• Preparing a four-year-old  (and her anxious mom!) for her first pre-school experience.
• An estranged Dad, not living at home, died of suicide and the kids haven’t been told.

What you need to know

• Each session includes a one-hour consultation with a trusted, trained professional.
• Sessions can take place in person, on the phone, or by Skype.
• Sessions are by appointment only.
• This program is provided at no cost.