Dealing with emotional challenges

Returning to home is not easy for a number of reasons, including how much you have changed, how much you understand these changes and how much your friends and family accept these changes.  If you have changed and home has changed, it is almost like you need to learn „to dance together” again. Will you vay the music to adapt to the new rhythms of your lives or play the same tune?

Record your reactions to these questions and statements:

1. I know that I have changed as a result of my experience because …
2. My friends/family do seem to understand….about me, but they don’t understand…
3. My re-entry experience would be better if…
4. Now that I’m home, I worry the most about…
5. The one thing I know I have learned about myself is…
6. I wish I could explain to my family and friends that…

This activity is adapted from Paige, M. et al 2002, p 145.