#child advocacy

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Nobody is “too young” to be cynical or jaded or hate their life. There is no appropriate age for that. If someone is experiencing that at any age, their mental health is at risk. Doesn’t matter how young they are, or how easy their life seems. Just because existential dread didn’t hit you until later in life, doesn’t mean everyone else gets to be so lucky.

“You think life sucks now? Just wait until you’re grown” okay grandpa what if they don’t make it to adulthood? What if it gets worse until they only see one way out and they take it? Stop being dismissive. Stop forcing your problems onto young people and start taking them seriously about things. Period.

(Inspired by this post)

#childhood trauma #adverse childhood experiences #depression help #childhood depression #late diagnosis #child advocacy #neurodivergent #neurodivergence #neurodiversity #autistic kids #emotional abuse #tw sui implied #tw sui talk #complex trauma #depression anxiety #childhood emotional abuse #childhood emotional neglect #kids are people too #anti fakeclaiming #fake claiming #comorbid conditions #comorbidities #mental health matters #mental health representation #mental health education #intersectionality #child health #depression tips #mental health rant #actually autistic

[alwaysbewoke]

when you combine this with the efforts to extend retirement age to 70 and over, it's very clear that our politicians, but specifically gop conservatives, are hell-bent on sacrificing the population at the altar of capitalism. they want us to start working earlier and to work longer into our lives, all while not paying a living wage and raising the price of just about everything. it is the continuing evil of capitalism run amok.

#Youtube #child labor #labor protections #gop red states #child rights #child welfare #child labor laws #child protection rollback #child exploitation #child labor reform #gop laws #child advocacy #labor standards #gop agendas #child welfare rollback #child labor debate #workplace standards #child protection #child well-being #gop control #child labor policy

[noballoonsinspace]

Misbehavior is not a reflection of merit Misbehavior is not a reflection of character Misbehavior is not a reflection of intelligence Misbehavior is not a reflection of work ethic Misbehavior is not a reflection of morals or values

Misbehavior is a reflection of well-being Misbehavior is a reflection of environment Misbehavior is a reflection of power dynamics Misbehavior is a reflection of support systems Misbehavior is a reflection of how someone is treated

“Bad” kids don’t misbehave hurting kids misbehave traumatized kids misbehave abused kids misbehave neglected kids misbehave scared kids misbehave lonely kids misbehave grieving kids misbehave stressed kids misbehave overwhelmed kids misbehave burnt-out kids misbehave

Its not a “tantrum” or a “fit” or a “bad kid” with “unacceptable behavior,” it’s a cry for help

When kids misbehave, stop “punishing” and “disciplining” and “reprimanding” them

When kids misbehave for the love of god just help them

And P.S. this basically applies to adults as well

#trauma recovery #childhood trauma #parental neglect #abandonment trauma #adhd autistic #late diagnosed autistic #adverse childhood experiences #cptsd recovery #complex trauma #autistic meltdown #childhood #childrens rights #kids health #child advocacy #children are people #kids are people too #child abuse #actually autistic #emotional abuse #child behavior #behavioral health #neurodiversity #autistic kids #neurodivergent #mental health matters #childrens health #domestic discipline #raising children #gentle parenting #positive parenting

[fat-chance]

Our associations with the word child go beyond anything concerning age and sometimes it gets offensive to children

#child advocacy #don’t associate being a child with being a shitty person #unoriginal thoughts #it’s ok if you don’t understand

[kittenzeke]

I finished reading "Beyond Intelligence" by Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster over the weekend. It was easier to read in the ward for some reason. I've taken the liberty to type up page 120 for everyone. It's a list of what matters most in a child's educational experience.

AUTHENTICITY: help your child find his own interests, values and ways of being.

ACTIVITIES: provide a wide range of activities for your child and do some of them together.

AUGMENTATION: encourage your child to build on his strengths.

AUTONOMY: respect and foster your child's independence.

ACHIEVEMENT: celebrate your child's achievements, and help him learn from his failures.

AFFIRMATION: affirm your child's essential humanity, as well as his unique abilities.

ACCOUNTABILITY: as your child grows older, let him be increasingly responsible for his decisions.

ATTITUDE: model a growth mindset, and reinforce one in your child.

ASSUMPTIONS: identify and challenge your inferences and assumptions about intelligence and learning.

ADVOCACY: work with other parents, teachers, administrators, and legislators toward getting important educational concerns addressed.

#journal #personal #pic #child rearing #raising children #child advocacy #education #booklover #bibliophile #bibliophilia #intelligence #children #helping kids #special needs #special needs children #gifted education

[bevanne46]

Lake Stevens Police Department

Operation Elf is a toy drive for the families of Dawson Place clients. The goal is to ensure all children in these families have gifts at Christmas. For anyone who isn't familiar with Dawson Place, they are a non-profit child advocacy center in Everett that provides medical and mental health services to child victims of physical and sexual abuse. We partner with Dawson Place for forensic interviews for child victims. The attached flyer has a QR code to access their Amazon wish list. You can have the gifts shipped directly to Dawson Place or drop them off at Dawson Place.

#gifts #holiday #christmas #washington #dawson place #toy drive #everett #children #non-profit #child advocacy

[crazycatsiren]

"Parents of autistic children are doing the best they can with what they have" is a true statement for some. For others, the truth is anything but.

It's not false that for many of us, especially the AFAB and the people of color, during our childhood years, either autism was still not well understood where we were, or we fell through the cracks due to diagnostic biases and lack of general education on the topic.

What's also not false, is the abuse that our parents put us through to literally beat the neurodivergence out of us. Our parents didn't understand us and didn't know what we were, all they knew was that they had "abnormal" children whom they wanted to be "normal".

It doesn't matter that our parents didn't know better. It doesn't matter that they didn't have the resources they needed. For many of us, even when we finally get the answer later in life, childhood trauma has already shaped our adulthood, and none of it was our fault. The people who should've protected us and nurtured us, couldn't accept that their children were different, and they hated their own children for not being like other people's children, rather than accepted and loved them as who they were. They failed us, and they failed as parents.

#abuse tw #child abuse tw #childhood trauma #trauma survivor #abuse survivor #cptsd #actually autistic #neurodivergent community #autism advocacy

[shadeslayer]

from transadvocacyok on instagram:

We are at a loss for words. Rest in power and in peace, Nex. To their family and friends, we are so sorry for your loss. To Owasso people who are outraged, grieving, and wanting action on this terrible hate crime: please contact us via instagram or email us at [email protected] if you want help advocating, protesting, and supporting each other.

#nex benedict #oklahoma #mmiwg2s #child death #trans advocacy coalition of oklahoma

[schar-aac]

"child abuse"

image: a small, blue figure curled up to protect themself, one hand covering half of their face and their visible eye wide with fear. Behind them looms a large, dark shadow shaped like a person.

#abuse #child abuse #fear #aac symbol #communication image #disclosure #trauma #self advocacy #aac image #communication symbol #aac emoji #custom emoji

[noballoonsinspace]

Just saw someone defend an abusive teacher by saying “pretty sure you wouldn’t get into teaching if you didn’t specifically care about children and want to help them” and while this may be true it is dangerously dismissive of the fact that many adults have quite frankly very fucked up ideas of what is helpful to children

#child advocacy #social responsibility #helping kids does not include punishing and reprimanding and disciplining and scolding!!!! btw #complex trauma #school trauma #childhood trauma #autistic trauma #parental trauma

[chthonic-cassandra]

On reflection I have mixed feelings about my childhood involvement in professional performing arts, but there are some very, very important things I got out of it, including the capacity to easily receive critical feedback on my work (whether professional or artistic) without either collapsing in insecurity or responding defensively.

I don't think I realized until reaching adulthood both how important a skill that would be and how rare it is for people to actually be given the opportunity to develop it.

#obviously there are ways that feedback happens in performing arts which are unhealthy #but on balance & particularly how it played out in my experience it's a lot better than not building that skill at all #personal #my dissolute past as a child performer #there's also a weird thing that's happened in leftist circles where 'receiving feedback' has become synonymous with 'getting called out' #and that has also eroded the distinction between giving feedback on someone's work vs giving feedback about someone's self #which I think is very unhealthy & ultimately makes it hard for anyone to receive feedback in a productive way #anyway it's the end of the year & I'm reflecting on some things #advocacy #(implied)

[uncanny-tranny]

So often, when people say that somebody is "thin-skinned," what they mean is "this person will not give me permission to abuse and/or bully them." Be weary of the people who demand that you stop being thin-skinned when they are being abusive or putting you in compromising situations.

If it comes down to it, being "thin-skinned" is better than being abused. If you have the chance to choose, I hope you choose to be thin-skinned.

#mental health #mental health advocacy #abuse #abuse tw #like so much of the abuse i faced was twisted so that *i* was the issue - i was 'thin-skinned'/sensitive/mentally ill #and nevermind the fact i was a literal child either #abuse has a way of fucking *destroying* your life and if you have the chance to avoid that please feel free to #even if the consequence is 'being thin-skinned'

[daughterofanarcissistwoman]

#inner child healing #reparenting #inner teen healing #wild feminine #unlearning codependency #unlearning people pleasing #healing fawn trauma response #self protection #self advocacy #life force energy #boundaries #narcissistic abuse

[hussyknee]

Narmada and her sister Sharika are the daughters of prominent Tamil feminist and human rights activist Rajini Thiranagama, who was murdered when they were children. Every time they speak of her I move away from grief that her life was so brutally cut short, to joy that she spent those years living a life more full of light and love than many can fit into a hundred. Nothing can compare to the legacy of being remembered this way by your children.

#i can't believe she was younger than me when she was killed #her daughters are several years older than me #it must be strange to live past the age your parent did #to realize the person in those wise and hallowed memories is now a peer and now much junior #i have so much awe and pride for the people who stood up to the blood drenched terrorism of the govt and of the militias that opposed them #i always wish i could ask them how they didn't drown the fear and despair #rajini knew they'd kill her and made her peace with it. even though she knew she'd be leaving her children behind #she and her husband seems to have been absolute relationship goals. an equal partnership?? in the 70s and 80s?? in this country?? #talk about modelling self-worth for your daughters #parenting #wholesome #child rights #feminism #activism #advocacy #rajini thiranagama #sri lanka #mental health #tw death mention #mothers and daughters #knee of huss

[bankhaastrup45]

Child Center of Pennsylvania Honors Brian Houchins with Community Recognition Award

FOR immediate release|Child Center of Pennsylvania honors Brian Houchins by presenting him with the Community Recognition Award.}

Child Center of Pennsylvania honors Brian Houchins Community Recognition Award {Mechanicsburg, inPA - December 21,2023 Brian Houchins of Mechanicsburg is the recipient of 2023 community Recognition Award. This prestigious award is introduced yearly to a person who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to bettering the lives of kids in our community. Brian Houchins, a dedicated elementary faculty trainer and community volunteer, has been an unwavering advocate for children's schooling and welfare. Over the past ten years, his efforts have considerably impacted the lives of numerous kids in Mechanicsburg and surrounding areas. Houchins' initiatives include establishing a free after-school tutoring program for underprivileged students, weekend workshops specializing in literacy and numeracy skills for at-risk youth, and main a profitable community-driven campaign to improve local playgrounds, ensuring secure and inclusive play areas for all children. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on January 15,in January 15th,The Mechanicsburg Community Center will host the award ceremony on the 15th January 2024. The occasion will characteristic speeches from native dignitaries, a presentation about Houchins' contributions, and the award presentation. "We have been honored to honour Mr.Houchins this honor. His commitment to our community's kids goes above and past, making a real distinction in their lives," mentioned Sarah Jennings, Director of the Child Center of Pennsylvania. " https://www.searchpeoplefree.com/find/brian-m-houchins/ for serving to children to succeed is an inspiration to us all." The Child Center of Pennsylvania's Community Recognition Award is an integral part of our mission to acknowledge and assist those that contribute to the well-being and development of youngsters in our state. For extra details about the award or the event, please contact Emily Thompson at 717-555-0101 or [email protected]. Information about the Child Center of Pennsylvania:The Child Center of Pennsylvania: The Child Center of Pennsylvania is a non-profit group devoted to selling the well being, schooling, and welfare of youngsters in the state. Through numerous programs, partnerships, and advocacy, the Center works tirelessly to make certain that all children have the alternatives and assist they should thrive. Contact: Emily Thompson Child Center of Pennsylvania 1234 Liberty Avenue, Mechanicsburg1234 Liberty Avenue Mechanicsburg PA 17055 717-233-0101 [email protected] www.childcenterpa.org

#Child Advocacy #Community Service #Education #Child Welfare #Mechanicsburg #Pennsylvania #Volunteer Work #Community Recognition #Teacher Impact #Non-Profit Organizations #Children's Rights #Community Heroes #Local News #Educational Programs #Community Development

[moonlit-positivity]

Tips for someone just starting out their mental health journey

So you've decided to take on the beast within. You courageous, bold, empowered human being, first of all congratulations 🎉 I'm so proud of you.

Lots of things bring us to this point in our lives, but I've always believed that mental health should be a journey of self exploration. You're taking the first steps to making your life a little better than it was before, regardless of how you got here. You're a goddamn warrior. I love this for you so much.

So please heed these words of caution before you begin your journey:

Your safety should take the main priority at all times. There can be such a thing as retraumatizing yourself with how much info you try to take in all at once.

If you're eager to learn, eager to change, in desperate need of a way out, escaping an abusive situation, or just generally curious about what the heck is going on in ur brain and how you can "fix" it, then here are some things you might want to be aware of before diving head first into those uncharted seas.

1. Pause. Take a deep breath. You will be okay.

The very first thing you need to know. Please. You will send yourself into a whole flood of massive spiraling panic attacks if you do not take it slow and take it easy.

Breathe. Deeply. Deep breaths. They do recommend this for a reason. You might think it's bullshit but breathing is going to help. So just breathe.

2. Baby steps

Please do not try to consume all there is to know all at once. You will absolutely spiral into a panic attack and it will traumatize you. You're trying to build Rome in a day if you do it like that. It's just not fuckin possible.

If you're doing therapy once a week, that is already enough. Build it up gradually over time. When you feel stronger and ready to dig deeper, maybe consider setting aside a personal space specifically for healing & reflection time.

But you don't need to do it all at once and you don't need to do it right the fuck now either. Take your time.

3. Just think about it

You don't have to do anything. You don't have to do anything right now. You don't have to do it all at once. You don't have to get up and make an immediate change. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do.

Just think about it.

No matter what you read online, no matter what you say in therapy, no matter what your therapist or social media will recommend you do, You don't need to make any sudden decisions. You don't need to make any sudden and scary changes right now.

Just give yourself time to think about it.

4. This isn't your fault

You may come across some information that is going to be eye opening for you at some point. And it may make you feel guilty, ashamed, and deeply gutted because you genuinely had no idea that this is what was happening in your life. You will feel so ashamed for not knowing or understanding. So please listen to me, you brave courageous and strong human being. This is not your fault.

How could you have known? If this is the first time you've ever heard it? How could you have known? Please do not let it sit on your heart. You are not a bad person. You've just been through some bad things. You don't deserve to be judged for that.

5. This is a lifelong process

So please get ready for the long haul. Please don't go into this experience expecting immediate results by July, thats just not how this works. And please don't go in expecting to "fix" yourself or "unbreak" your habits.

You are not a fuckin robot. You're a human being. You need time and patience and understanding to do this type of work with. That in itself is a skill you will have to learn. Go back to step one and breathe it out.

6. Take what you like and leave what you don't

You're gonna be exposed to a lot of new things. New concepts, new mental health bullshit, discourse, nuances, spirituality, I mean. Stuff is gonna be coming at you from all angles all the frickin time.

Take what you like. But learn how to leave what you hate behind. You don't have to force yourself into someone else's ideologies if you don't agree. You're allowed to disagree. You're allowed to make your own definitions, your own decisions, your own way. You're allowed to make it your own.

There are no rules to how you approach this. Do it your way.

7. Don't force it, walk away

You don't have to talk about it. You don't have to sit with it. You don't have to force your way through. This is gonna traumatize the fuck out of you.

Please learn how to say, "I'm not ready for that yet." Honor your timeline. Honor your autonomy, your right to choose and your right to stop and quit when you're overwhelmed.

This isn't just for therapy. This is also for when you're spiraling and having panic attacks.

"I'm not ready for that yet" means "I need a break from this."

8. Take breaks often

You cannot be doing this stuff 24/7. It will ruin you. Keep in touch with your hobbies, your interests, your comforts, and the things that get you out of your head. Try really hard to not let yourself be consumed by your grief.

Even if it's just for 5 minutes. Take a break. Do something else. Please. Just 5 measly minutes of fun. Please. I'm begging you.

9. Be kind to yourself

If someone you loved was sick, would you call them a lazy fuck? I hope not. Dont do it to yourself either. You're allowed to be nice. Find your manners.

10. Slow it down. Take it slow. Breathe

I keep saying that for a reason, yanno?

Slow it down. Take it slow. Baby steps. You will figure it out.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Take care of yourself. You can do this, but more importantly, you can do this in a way that won't overwhelm you or make it worse. You deserve that type of care and God knows I wish someone had told me this before I started therapy.

Be brave, courageous human. You can do it 🌸

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

#recovery #ptsd #trauma #mental health #boundaries #healing #healing thoughts #mental health discussion #therapy #trauma awareness #self diagnosis #trauma informed #bpd #npd #pd safe #mental health awareness #self care #self advocacy #self love #self esteem #advice #relationships #abuse #abuse recovery #growth #shadow work #inner child healing