Did You Know?

imageDid you know that something a child experiences today could affect him or her for years to come? Did you see the latest research on adults who faced a childhood trauma? (You can see complete chart at this site. http://www.ministrybestpractices.com/2012/11/adult-disorders-linked-to-childhood.html).

The chart I’m referencing is the study I mention several weeks ago called the ACE Study, Adverse Childhood Experiences (http://acestudy.org/). This chart is great for ministers to have in their offices. It is one of the first charts I’ve seen that ministers can take and use in their churches as they minister to congregants. It explains what happens to adults when they have experienced an adverse childhood experience.

This chart doesn’t mention that divorce is an adverse childhood experience but the ACEs study does mention it. You can find more about the ACE Study at the link above and http://www.cdc.gov/ace/index.htm.

One of the things I like about this chart and these kinds of studies are they verify what I have felt and known for a long time. Many of us that have worked with children know that when they experience a trauma such as divorce that it affects them in many ways. For instance one of the results of trauma or crisis causes children to endangered or worthless.

pdf to share rightMany of the children we work with in DC4K (Divorce Care 4 Kids) feel worthless. They will tell you they feel that way. Many don’t feel safe, and they feel endangered. We’ve talked about that here on Divorce Ministry 4 Kids also.

The more crisis and trauma a child experiences the more it really does affect their brains. They literally have their brains rewired. It can cause adult onset of ADHD, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Women are 27% more like to become obese and men 66% more likely to become obese. Even their health can be affected.

So you see there are even more reasons to work with the child of divorce within the church. They need us now and our future generations need us.

I know the kids who came to DC4K when it first came out ten years ago. I also have kept track of some of these kids, and they are not experiencing as many of these adverse effects. I believe it is because we address the basic need of love, safety and support. We also teach them how to label their feelings. If you can’t label a feeling, you can’t tame it either. So when a child learns how to put a name on a feeling, they also learn how to address the problems that come along feeling that emotion.

We help them know what to do with their anger. We teach them appropriate ways to deal with their anger. We do much more, but do you see how just these few things might help someone who is a child today become a better adult tomorrow?

Pass this chart onto your minister. Perhaps it will help him or her have more understanding and empathy when an adult comes to him with many of the adult problems we have in our world today.

Linda Ranson Jacobs is one of the forefront leaders in the area of children and divorce. She developed and created the DivorceCare for Kids programs. DC4K is an international program for churches to use to help children of divorced parents find healing within the arms of a loving church family. As a speaker, author, trainer, program developer and child care center owner, Linda has assisted countless families by modeling and acting on the healing love she has found in Jesus Christ. Linda offers support, encouragement and suggestions to help those working with the child of divorce. She serves as DC4K Ambassador (http://www.dc4k.org) and can be reached via email at ljacobs@dc4k.org.

Free articles and devotions for single parent families in your church can be found at Linda’s website Healthy Loving Partnerships for Our Kids (http://www.hlp4.com).

2 thoughts on “Did You Know?”

  1. Great post, Linda. It’s good to hear how you’re helping children cope with their trauma, and building resilience into their lives.
    You might also be interested in ACEsTooHigh.com, a news site about the latest developments in ACE-related research and trauma-informed practices. And I think you’d definitely be interested in its companion social network, ACEsConnection.com. One of the nearly 600 members is Dave Lockridge, a former pastor who’s combined the ACE Study epidemiology, brain research and teachings from the Bible into a workbook and 26-week course for adults who are still dealing with the consequences of their childhood trauma.

    1. Did not know about the workbook. I will look for it. I’ve bookmarked the ACEs TooHigh site months ago. Love that site. I’ve not signed on for the ACEsConnection.com site. thanks for the info.

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