Managing Family Life Booklet

DAILY LIFE
It’s fair to say that things feel far from normal right now, but the more
we can create a home-life where things are structured, and to some
degree, planned, the more we can all try to stay well.
Routines
Routines are helpful, particularly in
uncertain times. Discuss a potential
‘timetable’ to your day among
the family, and perhaps go as far
as to print this out for all to see.
Build in times for eating, self-care,
conversation, rest, movement and
mental stimulation.
Communication
Communication is always important with someone with an eating
disorder, but even more so now. Listen to your loved ones fears or
anxieties. Reflect back what you hear they are telling you, and ask
if you are correct in that comprehension. Work together on a small
step to conquer that fear.
Limit continuous ‘checking up’ dialogue, but instead, remind them
that you trust their decisions and are here to help them with the
steps which they find hardest.
Keep eating disorder talk to a
minimum. If your loved one feels
they must talk about their eating
disorder, consider a limited
window in which it is allowed to be
discussed.
For those of you not with your loved
one in person, use technology
to maintain regular contact and
keep questions and conversations
open and empathetic, rather than
demanding or insistent.