especially new roommates. “Our boys are great at
making new kids feel welcome,” says Teaching Parent
Wayne Brown who is “father” to an all-boy cottage. “We
get them to play football or basketball. We try to find
out what they like to do, what their interests are, and add
those things to our normal activities,” says Wayne.
For some children, the first few days can be difficult.
Teaching Parents make room for kids to express themselves and try to get to know them better. “I think [how
we welcome them] depends on what their mood is when
they arrive,” explains Teaching Parent Adrianne Madden.
“I think kids know if you’re being fake. Sometimes you
have to allow them to make the first move so you’ll know how to respond,” she says.
Like Adrianne, Jim Stuckey knows kids need lots of patience and
understanding. “It’s always very difficult for any young man to leave
his home and make all new friends,” he says. “It’s important to establish good communication with the child and do a lot of listening!”
As for following rules, doing chores, and earning privileges, new
children are placed on “Newcomer” status on our privilege scale until
they have time to get accustomed to our expectations. This grace
period gives children the room to learn, make mistakes, and ask questions. Children also adjust to the positive interactions of the Teaching
Family Model of care. It’s usually the first time they have had consistent positive interactions with adults! The Teaching Family Model is
a positive way of communicating with kids about behaviors that are
desirable and behaviors that need to change. Kids have to get used
to all the eye contact, compliments, and clear directions from their
teaching parents.
After a few weeks, new kids become part of the Boys
and Girls Country family; they go to public school, do
homework, complete chores, spend time with their
cottage family, and learn new life skills to help them be
successful. Every child has ups and downs, but as
Teaching Parent Troy Joshua explains, kids get used to
the routine quickly. “We include new kids in cottage
activities,” says Troy. “We set the expectation that
education is a priority, and we feed them well enough
that they forget ever being a newcomer!”
Boys and Girls Country News | Fall 2015
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