Mediated Groups As technology becomes more accessible, groups will hold more of their meetings either on-line or via video or telephone connections. Read more about these groups and then join a mediated group in the activity section to experience first hand the differences between mediated groups and face-to-face groups.
| Types | Mediated groups take several forms: - Teleconferences in which the group members talk via the telephone.
- Videoconferences in which a video and audio connection allows the group members to communicate with each other.
- Computer-mediated discussions such as Listservs, chat, or Usenet, in which the group members communicate via email.
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| Advantages | There are several advantages to mediated groups. First, they are usually inexpensive to operate. Instead of traveling long distances to meet, groups can meet over the telephone or via email. In addition, when using email or telephones, the group does not have to meet as a whole. It can carry on its business over time and without everyone being present. |
| Disadvantages | There are also some disadvantages to mediated groups. When communicating via the telephone or by email, it is difficult to judge other group members' nonverbal expressions. Also, the technology can be a difficult adjustment. Finally, the social aspects of the group are downplayed when the group does not meet face to face. |
references: http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/groups/type.html
posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 10:02 AM
Helping Children understand Divorce (3)
How divorced parents can modify their own behaviors and help their children of different ages to adjust to the divorce?
Infants
What parents can do for infants
- Keep normal schedules and routines.
- Reassure infants of your continued presence with physical affection and loving words.
- Keep children’s favorite toys, blankets or stuffed animals close at hand.
Toddlers
What parents can do for toddlers
- Spend more time with children when preparing to separate (e.g., arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier than usual when you take your child to child care).
- Provide physical and verbal reassurance of your love.
- Show understanding of child’s distress; recognize that, given time and support, old behaviors (thumbsucking) will disappear and newly developed skills (toilet training) will reappear.
- Talk with other important adults and caregivers about how to support your child during this transition time.
Preschool and early elementary children
What parents can do for preschool and early elementary children
- Repeatedly tell children that they are not responsible for the divorce.
- Reassure children of how their needs will be met and of who will take care of them.
- Talk with children about their thoughts and feelings; be sensitive to children’s fears.
- Plan a schedule of time for children to spend with their other parent. Be supportive of children’s ongoing relationship with the other parent.
- Read books together about children and divorce.
- Gently, and matter-of-factly, remind children that the divorce is final and that parents will not get back together again.
Preteens and adolescents
What parents can do for preteens and adolescents
- Maintain open lines of communication with children; reassure children of your love and continued involvement in their lives.
- Whenever possible, both parents need to stay involved in children’s lives, know children’s friends, what they do together, and keep up with children’s progress at school and in other activities.
- Honor family rituals and routines (Sunday dinner, weeknight homework time, grocery shopping together, watching favorite television shows or movies as a family).
- If you need to increase children’s household responsibilities, assign chores and tasks that are age-appropriate (help with laundry, housecleaning, yardwork, meal preparations); show appreciation for children’s contributions.
- Avoid using teenagers as confidants; plan special time for yourself with adult friends and family members.
- Tell children who will be attending special occasions such as sporting events and graduation ceremonies, especially if you plan to take a new romantic partner.
references: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm
posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 9:45 AM
Helping Children understand Divorce (2)
How to solve sibling’s conflicts in divorced families?
Some siblings also engage in more conflict because they are competing for their parents’ attention. So, parents should :
· talking with them
· listening to them
· spending some time alone with each child
to reduce their children’s rivalry. Besides that, parents also need to realize that younger siblings may have an easier time expressing their confusion than their older siblings.
Therefore, parents should be sure to talk to the older siblings even if they do not seem upset. It is also important for parents to encourage children to continue rituals that were established before the divorce so they will have some feelings of continuity and stability.
references: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm
posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 9:44 AM
Helping Children understand Divorce (1)
Talking with children about divorce
Children’s reactions to parental divorce are related to how parents inform them of their decision. Because of this, it is important for parents to think carefully about how they will tell their children and what they will tell them. When possible, the entire family should meet together so that both parents can answer children’s questions. This strategy may also help parents to avoid blaming each other for the divorce. The following tips might make this a smoother process:
- Set aside time to meet as a family
- Plan ahead of time what to tell children
- Stay calm
- Plan to meet again
What to tell children
1. First, you should limit your discussion to the most important and most immediate issues; children can become confused if they are given too much information at once.
2. Children need to hear that their basic needs will be met, that someone will still fix breakfast in the morning, help them with their homework, and tuck them into bed at night.
3. Children also need to know that their relationship with BOTH parents will continue, if possible. In the face of so many changes, children also need to hear what will remain the same. Parents can reassure their children through words and actions that their love will continue despite the changes in routine family life.
4. Children should be told that the divorce is final and avoid giving them false hopes that the parents will reunite.
5. Parents can also use this time to tell children that the divorce is not their fault. Many children believe that the divorce is a result of something that they did. Even younger children who seem to have no understanding of what is going on may need extra reassurance during this time.
6. Remember to ask children about their fears and concerns. Give children time to think about the divorce and the changes ahead. Meet again as a family to talk about new questions and to reassure children of your ongoing involvement in their lives.
7. Children need to know that parents recognize the impact of divorce on children’s lives.
references: http://extension.missouri.edu/xplor/hesguide/humanrel/gh6600.htm
posted by maggie kok mei kay @ 9:42 AM
Nurhayati Adila Mohd Ariff ;