Topic: A Broader View / should my daughter visit her mother in jail? is there a benefit to visiting?

http://www.thecrimereport.org/news/inside-criminal-justice/2015-03-measuring-the-effects-of-a-mothers-incarceration

just saw this today.

Topic: A Broader View / should my daughter visit her mother in jail? is there a benefit to visiting?

I like those questions!

Topic: A Broader View / should my daughter visit her mother in jail? is there a benefit to visiting?

And in fact, the behaviour you are teaching your child is that family support and love is important, even during the worst times.

Topic: A Broader View / should my daughter visit her mother in jail? is there a benefit to visiting?

Having worked and done quite a bit of research on re-entry, relationships, family support and success, it is very important for a child to be able to SEE that their mother is alive and well. To have the experience of dealing with the reality, and for a Mother to be able to say, "I made a mistake, and this the consequence. " Will teach more to a child than hiding the truth. Children miss their parents so much, that phone calls, letters and court visits really don’t cut it, as much as a relaxed and engaged visit that in fact should be about the child and NOT about the Mother. A visit is for the Mother to Mother the child during her absence from parenting. I would ask how old the child is, and then gear all information that you give the child based on developmental guidelines, giving information that child can handle, and explaining further as they grow up to understand more about their parent and the event in their life. A prolonged mothering absence in a childs life is not good. It invokes a lot of fantasy on the child’s part, and children tend to think it is “their fault” the parent doesn’t want to see them, that they are the bad ones. Avoid that at all costs. Also, you could seek the advice of a professional on child development, and even consider child therapy or family therapy after Mom returns home.

Now about the Mother, it is proven that people who stay connected and involved with family, get family support and visits, do far better after during re-entry. Isolation, shunning, punishing, and avoidance do not in fact lead to behaviour changes. If your wife has to face her crime openly with her whole family, instead of having a deep hidden secret, it just may help her to change her ways. The first step is admitting you have a problem. If not, you are getting far more information for your families future. Children do not repeat incarceration just because they visit a jail. That’s like saying if I bring my kids to a farm, they will be farmers, or any other analogy you want. Make the behaviours themselves as undesirable, goes a lot deeper than any jail visit will. It doesn’t have to become a family legacy or career path.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Accreditation - pros and cons