Invincibility is not a trait that belongs solely to adolescents
To say I was blasé about the risks associated with COVID-19 is an overstatement; however, I can also say that I was not as rigorous about following the protocols as I could have been. It is for this reason that I’m sharing my personal experience with COVID.
No one has time for Blue Monday
When we think about raising children, running organizations and taking care of ourselves, the things we turn to right away involve structure, routine and goal setting – all things that require a schedule and usually a calendar. So, what does it mean for our mental health when every day seems the same and hope for change is still a long way off on the horizon?
Shadows cannot exist without light
2020 has been a year of “darkness” for many. Times of “light” – creating space for joy, peace, friendship, freedom and the sweetness of life has never been more urgent in history. The convergence of movements like Black Lives Matter, climate activism, the #MeToo movement, and Canadian Truth and Reconciliation amidst global waves of COVID-19 are a stark reminder of the need to prioritize one’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Orange Shirt Day: How it began and how we recognize it today
Orange Shirt Day was inspired by residential school survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad, who shared her story at a St. Joseph Mission Residential School Commemoration Project and Reunion event held in Williams Lake, B.C., in the spring of 2013. Phyllis recounted her first day of residential schooling at the age of six, when her new orange shirt—given to her by her grandmother—was taken away from her.
Home is where the heart is: When leaving home is part of growing up (Part III)
Not all kids will choose to go away after high school or choose a post-secondary educational experience that requires leaving home. But for those who do, there are definitely some issues that could be broached around the dinner table.
Home is where the heart is: Separations and growth (Part II)
Last month, I talked about the importance of instilling a sense of home in our children that they can carry with them throughout their lives. This month, I’ve been thinking about some of the ways in which separation can be a rite of passage for children (and their parents) resulting in positive feelings of independence and self-esteem, while still invoking a sense of connection.
Home is where the heart is
What if you have to leave home in order to find a sense of safety and belonging? What if the reason you stay on the streets for so long, is because you have such a hard time finding it?