Comments on: Get the Backstory: Validating and Valuing Family Input https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/ Sharing What Works in Supporting Infants & Toddlers and the Families in Early Intervention Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:49:03 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Sarah Davis https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-9420 Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:49:03 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-9420 I love this! I recently sat down with a mother at our first Early Steps session and, after listening to her almost breathlessly recount all she’s done and experienced in regards to her child, I looked at her and said, “Take a deep breath, Mama – you are doing a phenomenal job!” She literally slumped in exhaustion and said, “You truly have no idea how much that means to me!” These parents are under so much pressure – social media, insane educational milestone pressure, family “input,” etc. – they feel like they’ve failed their child. I spent the majority of that first session listening to and reassuring her – validating her feelings and efforts was definitely my priority at that time. I am going to to continue being more mindful of the families/parents because it’s so easy to go in focused solely on the child.

]]> By: Abby Miller https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-7364 Wed, 26 Oct 2022 04:16:46 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-7364 I really resonated with your story, especially the part about loosening up on control and not always trying to “guide” parents towards priorities that are indicated through assessments. Certain barriers I can think of in getting to the backstory are fear of judgment, as well as families trying to sound professional and give answers they think providers want to hear, rather than what’s truly on their heart regarding their child’s development. When people feel heard and seen, they’re much more likely to open up, which is better for everyone involved. One of the little ways I think EI providers can strengthen their relationships is to remember small, seemingly unimportant details that the family has shared about their lives prior, like asking how a birthday went or if a cousin is advancing in sports, to show active listening and genuine interest before diving into concerns. As you said, validating and valuing input and strengthening relationships is essential for productive and meaningful change. Amazing post!

]]> By: Tracy Hoang https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-7352 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 17:04:52 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-7352 I would use questions/conversation starters like below.
“How was your morning/afternoon/evening?” <– It would give glimpses of how their day went. Hopefully, they are able to answer genuinely and give something about their routines. Also, it can be used to help guide the conversation to work or school.

"You have a lovely home" and then compliment something <– With the right object and tone of voice, they would be able to tell about who/how/where they got the object from. This would allow them to talk about themselves and open up a bit more.

With this position, you will be working the family for long periods of time, so it is important to learn information about the parental dynamics and routines, but it is equally as important to reassure the family's stress and ensure that they are comfortable in speaking.

]]> By: Karla Garza https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-7345 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:12:40 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-7345 Getting the backstory could be hard if it’s from a family who doesn’t feel too comfortable yet to talk about the situation. I would try to make them feel as safe as I could! Do you think there is a wrong or right questions to be asking in specific, if so, what are they?

]]> By: Hannah Ramsey https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-7282 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 18:03:29 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-7282 I really love this post! Valuing input is crucial to the heart of caring for these families. We are investing in their lives and this comes with genuine care. One of the most important parts of this post for me is how you discussed validation of things that are “clearly close to their hearts.” If we neglect to validate what the family values then they can not trust we fully understand and care for them. Thank you for your post Micaela!

]]> By: Micaela Morgan https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-4747 Fri, 21 Jan 2022 18:16:11 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-4747 In reply to Cori Hill.

Thank you, Cori! I really do believe our brains process information more critically and intentionally when we are just plain interested! Interest leads us to invest!

]]> By: Cori Hill https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/2022/01/20/get-the-backstory-validating-and-valuing-family-input/#comment-4746 Fri, 21 Jan 2022 18:03:43 +0000 https://www.veipd.org/earlyintervention/?p=5595#comment-4746 I love so much about this Micaela but most especially this—“Be genuinely curious about families, their daily lives, and their backgrounds. Ask for the sake of truly learning, and not documenting. “

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