New years day is typically a day where we see all the ads telling us how to be thinner, healthier, calmer, richer, more successful. Some of you may be feeling the pressure to start a new habit to better yourselves and some may just be praying for a better year to come. Building in new habits that help you become healthier are not bad for you. But please know that you are wonderful just the way you are. You are loved. You are important. And those littles (or big ones) in your home, love you for you.
If you really want to make a new year’s resolution, reflecting back on the past year can help with determining where you want to go in the future. Yet, who has time to reflect? If you have the opportunity to have a quiet bath, or set your alarm for 5 mins. earlier before the kids wake up, or heck, even go to the washroom, grab your phone and just scroll through your photos from the past year. You’d be amazed at all of the things you did, or at the very least, see the things that inspired you enough to take a picture of it. Take a look and see what brought you joy. And maybe even what brought you stress. Do more of the stuff that brought you joy and see if there is a way to decrease the latter.
My goal is to let others know how much I care about them and how grateful I am that they are in my life. We don’t seem to hear this enough and at times, probably often, we question our parenting. We all have regrets, make mistakes, and struggle to understand how to best support our kids. Be let me tell you… I see you. I see the frustration, the lack of patience, uncertainty, fear, and even heartache. But I also see that this is usually out of fear and self-doubt. I see the strength, patience, perseverance, love, guidance, teachings, joy, and awe shining in you. You are doing an amazing job. You are an amazing parent. Your kid(s) are working harder than they should have to at times to keep up with society’s expectations, but man do they celebrate when they achieve their goals! They shine from the inside out what it means to love fiercely (even if this isn’t shown in the “typical” way), they see the beauty in the world in a way that is shadowed for us at times. Many of our kids can just “be”.
To those of you who have children who are hating themselves, struggling to fit in, having difficulty keeping up in school, and are frustrated more than not, they may need a little extra lovin’. Being there, just to listen, can allow for a stream of information to flow and understand them better. Just keep giving them the love and let them know you are there for them. No judgement. Just there.
And if you feel they need a little extra support, reach out to the school and see if they can see the counsellor. Contact your family health team to set up counselling. Check in with Autism Ontario to see if they can connect you with counsellors qualified to help.
Here is a list of resources you can reach out to:
Kinark: https://www.kinark.on.ca/
New Path: https://newpath.ca/
Catulpa Community Support Services: https://catulpa.on.ca/programs-and-services/
Youth Wellness Hub: https://youthhubs.ca/en/sites/north-simcoe/
Chigamik: https://www.chigamik.ca/your-health/mental-health-and-addictions-counselors/
Chigamik Traditional Healing: https://www.chigamik.ca/your-health/traditional-healing/
Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre: https://www.gbnfc.com/programs
Métis Nation of Ontario: https://www.metisnation.org/programs-and-services/
Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County: https://cfssc.ca/locations/midland/
Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County Online Groups: https://cfssc.ca/mindself/
2SLGBTQ+ Gilbert Centre: https://gilbertcentre.ca/
Waypoint Child and Family Services: https://www.waypointcentre.ca/programs_and_services/family_child_and_youth_mental_health_program
North Simcoe Family Health Team: https://nsfht.ca/childrens-mental-health/
Lastly, I am grateful for you! Keep doing you and know that you aren’t alone! xo
Wishing you all the best in this new year to come!