Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids in Florida with SNAP Behavior Support That Works
There are a few truths every parent can agree on. One big one is the idea that every child is different, they have different motivations and they handle emotions differently. Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) is a program where parents and children are given the tools and techniques to unpack tough behaviors and emotional dysregulation.
When their son’s school referred them to the SNAP program earlier this year, one Southwest Florida family wasn’t sure what they were walking into. What they did know was simple, something needed to change. Their son was struggling to manage his emotions, and as loving parents, they felt out of answers.
“Our son was having difficulty managing his anger, especially when he felt frustrated,” the family shared. “On top of that, he was recovering from a leg injury that limited his mobility and made it hard for him to participate fully with his classmates. Those combined challenges sometimes led to big emotions and conflict, and we wanted to find a better way to support him.”
The family describes themselves as close and happy, but the strain was real. “We tried what we thought were the best approaches to help our son,” they admitted. “But at times the results weren’t what we hoped for. That left us feeling frustrated, concerned and even sad when our efforts didn’t lead to the improvements we wanted for him.”
That changed when they found SNAP. Our Southwest Florida family began to see the results they’d been searching for.
“One of the biggest breakthroughs was him realizing there are constructive ways to deal with frustration and anger,” his dad explained. “The SNAP steps gave him practical tools to pause, think and choose a better response. Another key moment was when he learned to catch his negative thoughts and replace them with what the program calls ‘cool thoughts.’ That helped him stay calm and make more positive choices in tough moments.”
The impact felt wasn’t just his, it was theirs. “SNAP didn’t just help our son. It helped our whole family, including his older brother,” they said. “We learned strategies to handle difficult situations together. It strengthened our communication, gave us more patience with each other and showed us that we could truly support one another.”
Now, the difference shows up in the little everyday moments. The after-school conversations, the way arguments get resolved and the tone of their home has changed for the better.
“We’ve noticed significant improvements in how we all control anger and respond to emotional situations,” they shared. “We’ve become much better at processing emotions and working hard to prevent hurtful words. It’s still a work in progress, but the skills we learned in SNAP have made a real difference. We’re so glad we did it.”
For other parents on the fence, their advice comes without hesitation. “Don’t hesitate, participate. Go to every session, do the homework and practice the strategies as a family. The change you’ll see is real. It will strengthen your family’s bond, improve communication and make your home a happier place.”
LSF is proud to bring SNAP to families across Florida, equipping parents and children with tools that last a lifetime. Families interested in learning more about SNAP can visit https://www.lsffamilyfocus.org/stop-now-and-plan-lsf-family-focus/ to explore current offerings or contact our LSF SNAP leaders to make a referral.
