Patrick
“A beautiful thing is never perfect.”
Age:
44
Pronouns:
He/Him/His
Gender Identity:
Male
Ethnic Background:
African American
County:
Sacramento
Caregiver Role
How would you describe your role as a parent/caregiver? (e.g., primary caregiver, co-parent, mentor, grandparent, foster parent)
Co-parent
How many children do you care for, or what young people do you support or mentor?
Two
What is the age range of your child(ren)?
12 and 4
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in this role?
Balancing work life with the responsibilities for my family.
What aspects of your own childhood experiences do you find influencing your parenting/caregiving style today?
I am avoiding the physical forms of discipline that I experienced. My wife and I encourage verbal communication and welcome our children’s thoughts and feelings.
Coping Mechanisms
How do you cope with stress or difficult situations?
I make time for hobbies like making music, video games, and taking walks/bike rides
What strategies do you use to support your child(ren) or young people in your life through difficult times or stressful situations?
I encourage my children to express their feelings to my wife and I in difficult and stressful scenarios
In what ways do you seek support or resources to help navigate parenting/caregiving challenges?
My wife is my biggest support system, and we are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. I also utilize resources from the Internet
Have you received professional help or counseling for any challenges you've faced? How or why did that help?
I have not yet received professional help or counseling.
Building a Supportive Relationship
How do you encourage open communication with your child about their feelings and experiences?
I express to them that they are welcome to speak to me at any time about any subject.
In what ways do you prioritize self-care to ensure you can better support your child?
I normally check in with the to make sure they are taking time for self care. I also encourage them to write down their thoughts and feelings in a diary/journal
Have you found any specific activities or routines that have been helpful in promoting your child's healing and resilience?
We play video games together, in addition to discussing music.
How do you foster a sense of hope and optimism for your child's future despite past challenges?
I encourage them to acknowledge past challenges, and use the knowledge from those losses as fuel in anything they want to achieve.