A few tips to keep home visits positive and fun for the whole family
Home trips, while being something to look forward to can also spell difficulties for both the child coming home and the family receiving them. Kids visiting from a structured living environment where schedules are fairly tight, routines are standard, and most minutes of the day are supervised may struggle re-integrating into less structured living arrangements. Below are a few tips to assist with the transition and day to day activities:
- Prior to your child(ren) arriving for summer break, talk to them about what will be happening while they are home, including expectations for schedules, behavior and activities. A short phone conversation prior to the visit can go a long way in curbing worry
and issues that may arise. Ask your child(ren) about their expectations for the visit. If you need help working out a plan, contact your caseworker and they can help you organize a plan. - Once home, keep a loose schedule each day; try do things in the same order, if not at the same time. For instance, whatever time kids get up, ask them to shower, eat breakfast/lunch, and then do their chores. Follow that with the day’s activities. The maintenance of daily rhythms while on a home visit can create an easier transition back to Ranch at the end of the break.
- An important part of the daily schedule should allow for kids to get enough sleep and should include times to go to bed and times for lights out (without electronics).
- Additionally, if there are to be changes in the daily routine because of work, events, travel, or other issues, talk about them before they happen, if possible, to avoid surprises and the anxiety that changes may create.
Finally, if problems arise, or you need help, remember that you can contact your caseworker or if it is before 8am or after 5pm, call the on-call casework number by dialing 806-570-3270.