Insights from a Meeting House Parent
We recently interviewed a long standing TMH parent about her daughter's growth and overall experience at the Meeting House.
How has the Meeting House community been beneficial to your family?
After consistently attending for a year, my daughter has become more comfortable in groups, has less anxiety speaking in front of others, is better at making friends, and is more trusting of others who are not family members. She is a better student now, as well. At school she is able to speak to teachers and ask questions more easily and frequently. She now has friends at school and she's also more comfortable with meeting friends on her days off. Her confidence in her ability to do activities and have positive experiences without mom nearby has given the family a lot of relief. TMH has given us Steven, a social worker and the Program Director. He is someone I trust with my daughter and most importantly my daughter trusts him. He and the team are a huge support for her and truly believe in her. I remember one time I told him that I didn't realize how much she's changed until I noticed she was saying thank you to the bus drivers when we exited the bus. And when I told Steven, he was proud, but he didn't sound surprised by it.
How would you describe the progress your teen has made at The Meeting House.
It's been astounding! Almost unbelievable. As a parent, I needed Steven to tell me that this is the new normal for my daughter. He had to tell me that she's strong and resilient. I was still holding on to the past version of her. She has had such a positive transformation. I recommend TMH all the time. I've talked to our school staff about it and I've talked on a 2e message board about TMH. Many 2e families are struggling to help their smart kids (who are a bit socially awkward) finding friends.
In what ways has The Meeting House been a resource to you and your family?
I know that if I need some mental health guidance that I can easily call Steven and he will talk to me and offer his professional assistance. He has gotten to know my daughter and understands her well. So, I know that if I talk to him, I'm talking to someone who is credentialed and brings professional expertise in helping me to understand her situation.
In your opinion, what makes the Meeting House different from other social skills/recreational after school programs?
What has stood out to me is that The Meeting House goes out of their way to make me and my child feel comfortable. There's also a waiting room for parents to exchange experiences and support each other as needed. Sometimes they run parent programs here too which is also special. Steven personally introduced me to another mom, so that I could have a friend in the waiting room which has been super-nice.
Why do you think learning social and emotional skills are worth it?
As New Yorkers we are so busy and so wrapped up in our own lives, many of us have lost social skills. Especially during this digital age where a few typed words is enough to communicate. In the real world, people have emotions and feelings, and some people need some help with human interaction. Teenagers go through so many physical changes and there is so much drama that they encounter at school, that strong social emotional skills are helpful for all teenagers.