Boundaries A Practical Guide to Setting and Maintaining Boundaries with Families

Training Objectives Participants will be able to: O Define the term boundaries as it relates to our work with children and families O State why maintaining boundaries with families is important O Identify strategies to establish and maintain boundaries with families, particularly those with whom we have dual relationships

What are boundaries? The personal limits we set within our relationships that allow for safe and appropriate connections with one another.

Why Focus on Boundaries? O Helps to define our working relationships with the families we serve O Helps us to maintain our objectivity when working with families O Assist us in avoiding burn-out O Keeps the focus of the visits on the family’s participation in the program

Boundaries Continuum Zone of Under InvolvedHelpfulness Over-Involved DistantEnmeshed ColdIntrusive DetachedDependent

What are challenges you have faced as a Home Visitor regarding boundaries with families?

Challenges to Boundaries O Dual relationship with the family (home visitor and friend/relative) O Intimate nature of home visiting O Family’s perception of the purpose of home visits and the role of the Home Visitor O Home Visitor’s desire to be liked by a family or to “rescue” them

What are strategies you have used to establish boundaries with families?

Setting Boundaries O Clarify roles and expectations from the beginning: O Purpose of the program O Role of the parent during visits O Role of the Home Visitor during visits O What the Home Visitor can and cannot provide for a family

Maintaining Boundaries O Remain objective when working with a family – keep emotions in check and program’s purpose in focus O Be aware of your own desires - to be liked by a family or to “rescue” them – signals you are no longer being objective O Talk with Supervisor or Co-Worker to reflect if you are struggling to maintain boundaries with a family

Disclosing Personal Info Benefits: O Reciprocity O Trust-building O Parents won’t feel alone in their journey O May help parents process their own feelings about their child or situation

Disclosing Personal Info Dangers: O Role-reversal, parents feel responsible for helping the professional O Could make parents feel uncomfortable O Could confuse parents about boundaries O Focus should be on the family and child

Before Disclosing Personal Information with a Family O Ask yourself who will the disclosure help – you or the family? O Talk with Supervisor first to reflect on whether or not the disclosure would cross boundaries.

Always Remember Your Role… My job as a Home Visitor is to support you and share with you what I know, but it is not to fix you. What you do with the information is up to you.

Last Thoughts: O When you violate your own boundaries or let another violate them, it unravels your life a little bit at a time. O Professional distance means having good personal boundaries and knowing when to let go.