Author: Joan Bowling
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Family Development General
Plan of Work: 2021 Stages throughout the lifespan
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a seismic shock to all families regardless of economic or societal circumstances. Abrupt school closures and the widespread threat of lost income, illness and death are negatively impacting families. The crisis will not affect individuals equally, but will significantly alter how families interact with one another going forward and the long held traditions that bonded them together could fracture In an effort to counteract the familial negative impacts the program "Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions" was taught virtually to 8 participants in October. Attendees learned how family traditions provide a sense of belonging in the family system, help maintain healthy relationships between members, and ways in which routines can become traditions. To counter the negative impact that the pandemic has had on family traditions during 2020, ways in which existing traditions can be preserved were identified and ideas on how to create new traditions were shared. At the conclusion of the program participants came up with personal goals/strategies they would apply in their home to either create new memories/traditions or alter long standing traditions in a safe and socially distant way. As a result of the program two of the participants began to journal their memoirs to help curve the sadness and loneliness brought on by the pandemic as well as to share the journals with their grandchildren. Another participant revealed she had a sense of dread going into the holiday season but was uplifted by the fresh ideas presented on creating new memories. Five of the participants acknowledged as a result of attending the class they felt a stronger since of connection with their family after implementing their personal goals created in class. A follow up program will be offered in the next program year to continue growth and development of new familial bonds.
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