Building friendships through support groups - Part 2
During the next year, I would see Joan around town, and each time, she asked about Nicholas with sincere concern and interest. I would roll my eyes and give her a brief update of our constant day-to-day struggles. “Come meet the other moms, Sarah,” Joan would say. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Finally, the years of dreadful isolation and loneliness drove me to attend my first group session. Joan introduced me to the other moms – Mia, Valerie, Jackie, Janet, and Tess. I sat comfortably on the sofa while the others sat in the surrounding overstuffed chairs, all eyes looking at me, welcoming and curious. I introduced myself and mentioned that I was having difficulty with my son. “I’m not sure how you can help me.”
Joan suggested, “Maybe to help Sarah know she is on common ground here, we could introduce ourselves and each answer the question – based on our own child and our parenting experiences – how do you define a challenging child?”
