My name is Monika, I got married 3 years ago. At that time my husband had a 2 year-old daughter named Anna and a 17 year-old son named Juan from a previous relationship. I didn’t have any children, but was excited to begin my family.
My relationship with my husband was challenging at the beginning because I did not know how to parent Anna. She was a sweet and active girl but tended to ignore my instructions. She was constantly seeking attention and interrupting conversations. My husband tended to please Anna with anything she wanted and did not put any limits on her.
When we met the Triple P practitioner from CFS, I was in charge of disciplining Anna and my husband was spoiling her. I was using time out but I was not sure about the appropriate length of time and the need to explain the rules. I also tended to lose my patience when Anna ignored my instructions. When my husband came home after work, Anna would complain about the way I disciplined her and my husband would get upset with me. It was a very frustrating and stressful time for me.
The Triple P practitioner helped us realize that we needed to work as a team in order to educate Anna in a positive way, being good role models. My husband and I started talking more about the positive ways to discipline Anna and the ways to strengthen our relationship as a couple. We applied different strategies from the Triple P classes such as spending quality time with our daughter while also taking care of our relationship.
Things are improving after the Triple P classes. My stepdaughter has been behaving very well at home and school. She is paying more attention and complying with our instructions. We are using more rewards for appropriate behaviors and less time-outs. We are spending more quality time as a family and the communication between my husband and I is much better.
We are very thankful with the Triple P services. Now we feel more confident when disciplining our child and she is doing great!
Center for Family Services has been providing mental health services and education to children, adults and families since 1961. Our clients are some of the most vulnerable in the community due to their age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Donations are a crucial means to their mental well-being. On their behalf, thank you for your support.