Keep Kids Safe by Looking After Yourself :-)
September 29, 2007 by Char · 6 Comments
I have returned to my role in child protection this week from a fabulous time in Halifax and Mackay, QLD. Yes folks, Halifax and Mackay.
Halifax is a hidden treasure of coastal plains with islands of hills shaped like a gathering of women lolling in the warmth of the sun of a balmy morning. Child safety was a critical issue for the lovely lady and her family that I spent time with. My local friends took me bush, down to the river, out to the beach for a BBQ and an evening of pool, beers and country gossip. Further to the south, the undulating scenic backdrops of Mackay won my heart. Its strands of beaches and hub of community arts, cultural events and celebrations of the environment are a tempting draw card to stay… It was also encouraging that issues of child sexual assault and abuse were openly discussed, even at the 5-star dinner.
My time-out-for-myself included being welcomed into new friend’s homes across four nights, bush walking, ocean dipping, dining on ice-creams and then there was that sticky toffee pudding, an evening of inspired conversations and a walk along the marina, a discovery day starting with breakfast by the river and finishing with a bus tour of the beaches, and a last supper of garden vegetables with delish pasta overlaid with yarns from open hearts; even the train journey was an adventure! Throughout my endevours there were many opportunities to highlight issues of parenting and child protective behaviours~ nice to see so many people not avoiding the topic, and feeling comfortable to put in their two cents worth.
In the past I have hesitated to take so much time out for myself – what about my little stress-head foster child?! His separation anxiety. His needs of constant reassurance. Well… my boy had a ball! I don’t think he even noticed that I wasn’t around 
The time apart – we call it “stretching” – was totally worth it for both of us. I have returned inspired, invigorated and ready to make more dreams come true. He has grown taller (really!), appears more confident and is displaying a resiliency to disappointment that tells me he is feeling safe, stable, loved and protected.
Definitely, it is worth it for parents and foster parents, or any caregiver, to take some solo time to immerse themselves in the world of the senses and inner contemplation. Enjoy!
The Effect of Trauma on Secure Attachment in Children
Safe Kids: Taking Each Other for Granted
Challenges Faced by Foster Parents in Australia
About Char
Jeep up the good work.
Consider a conversation around resiliency as a set of 31 protective factors that help children youth and adults stay safe and achieve a life to potential.
In North America Wayne Hammond of the Resiliency Inniatitiave and I have teamed up.
http://www.resiliencyinitiatives.ca/
He has developed a profile for 8 – 12 year olds, 13 to 18 year olds and adults to assist individuals, family’s schools and communitys take a resilient “snapshot” of just where they are in the process of nurturing their resiliency.
Keep up the great work!
Michael Ballard
http://www.ResiliencyforLife.com
thx michael~ had a quick scout of your sites – LUV the tree-sunrise image – it’s going on the wall here at home for the kids! (and me
i will make time this week to read through the sites more, and would enjoy writing about your works, to promote awareness of support strategies to parents and other carers.
jeep jeep~
char
Can I send you a review copy of our program to help children learn how to gain some inner calm?
If you where in Halifax you most likely meet Michael Unger who has also reviewed the program.
See:
http://www.resiliencyforlife.com/IYR
for expert, parent and child reviews.
A mindful child is easy to connect with, parent and is less likely to be anxious and generally more in touch with their emotions.
Michael
Resiliency for Life
http://www.ResiliencyForLife.com
sure michael, i would love to read thru the review. i was in halifax, qld australia
( porn, blood, and gore ) Why does it matter?
Thank you all who have taken a look at K-onna’s “Moment of
Peace” video… she’s getting excellent ratings and
comments, and YOUR rating and comment can bring the quality
of her work to the attention of many of the media folks who
are willing to fund and promote the work of newcomers.
As I post this blog note, K-onna’s video is back up to
position #10 ( out of 1271 entries ) on the “Highest Rated”
sequencing. There has been at least one instance of
someone spamming her entry… a single viewer posted
multiple single star ratings, which dropped “Moment of
Peace” from #13 to #277 within a 15 minute time frame.
Don’t spam, high or low… but please DO give your honest
rating and add your valuable comment.
Moms, kiss your husband on the nose and get him to watch the
30 second video, then ask HIM to vote and comment too
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So, why DOES it matter?
If you like to have a family-friendly alternative to the
thinly disguised pornography and the blood and gore that
flood our children’s virtual and entertainment environments,
then you’ll want to help K-onna get her name and her work
known…
Her work avoids sloppy sentimentality and preachiness yet
clearly incorporates values that will arm your children for
the adventures, opportunities and challenges of the 21st
century.
She has scripting for several projects in the works right
NOW: adventure, mystery, romance, comedy, drama, and
suspense, ( as well as a couple of musicals )… I promise
that you’ll love these productions… however they need both
funding and media attention.
The name recognition she can gain from this competition can
bring her work to the attention of those who can fund and
promote these projects.
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If you haven’t done so already just go take a look, then
please rate K-onna’s entry honestly compared to other
entries ( up to five stars ), then be sure to add your
comment.
The ratings and comments don’t directly determine the
winners, however they DEFINITELY have an influence on the
judging…
http://dovecreamoil.msn.com/Gallery.aspx?pID=260597&s=r
then cast your vote… it’s 5 stars in MY book,
( and yeah, I AM a little biased
The top 2 winning ads will appear during a commercial break
during “The Oscars(r)” on ABC, February 24th.
The top 5 entries will be decided by January 23rd ( that’s
next week ) and announced on the website on January 30th…
The producers of the top 5 videos will win an expenses paid
4 day trip to attend the Oscars.
and Hey –
please pass this info on to all the Moms… and the Dads and
the GrandMoms and GrandDads… that you know.
They and their children and their children’s children will
thank you for it.
I will get a review copy of Imagine Yourself of this month.
Best regards,
Michael
Toronto ON Canada
http://www.ResiliencyforLife.com