Fighting For Children's Rights

[thatdiabolicalfeminist]

Apologise to kids

Everyone who spends any time at all around children is going to eventually do something that requires an apology. You might be snappish to a kid, or forget something important to them, or trip and bump into them. No one is perfect, and when these things do happen, it’s important that adults – parents, especially – be able, willing, and ready to apologise to children.

It shows them that they are important to you, their feelings are important to you and that you care enough to try not to hurt them. (Everyone needs this knowledge in order to feel safe in a relationship.)

It models healthy ways to deal with conflict - how to keep a relationship a happy and safe place even after something bad happens.

It models for them how to take responsibility for actions you regret, instead of just pretending those things didn’t happen.

It teaches them that even authority figures can be held accountable for harming less powerful people.

It shows them that the thing you did that requires the apology is a wrong thing to do and that they should not mimic that behaviour.

It teaches them to expect the people around them to be accountable for their own behaviour, and it teaches them not to internalize blame for how other people treat them.

When adults routinely fail to apologise to children, children notice. They learn that the function of an apology is to pacify an authority figure, because that’s the only example they get. They learn that they are not respected or heard and that their feelings won’t matter to others until they, too, have control over someone less powerful.

Children learn from your example even more than they learn from your words. Teach your kids how loving and respectful relationships feel, so they can take that knowledge with them into the rest of their life and make better choices because of what you taught them.

[i-like-pirates]

@lunarcanine I thought you might like this, as it’s relevant to your Adult Privilege blog!

[solitarelee]

Do you ever wonder what long term psychological damage is caused by crushing our small children with overwhelming pressure and time constraints every single day of their developmental life from age 5-18 and then suddenly setting them free into the world with no guidance or assistance other than “get a job” 

[merrybitchmas91-deactivated2019]

honey i don’t have to wonder 

[cityelf]

Hey, adults of the world

How about instead of making kids terrified to ever fuck up

You teach them how to cope with the aftermath of fucking up and fix it as best they can

That way they’re not so overwhelmed with anxiety every time there’s even so much as a chance of making mistakes that they never try anything and dread making decisions because of it

[gallopingtormaunt-deactivated20]

THIS

[realpsycho]

Follow realpsycho.tumblr.com for more information!!

[bsw-msw-wwe]

“Know the Signs of Overdose”

[chasitycyc]

This is really important especially now!

[childandyouthcare-shania-blog]

Resources for Child and youth Care workers/Students.

http://www.fourcast.ca Drug and Alcohol treatment centre/ program(s) in Peterborough Ontario.

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-ontario-association-of-child-and-youth-care-statement-on-safe-and-caring-places-for-children-and-youth-ontarios-blueprint-for-building-a-new-system-of-licensed-residential-services-635864483.html News article on new residential services and buildings that will be built, for children and youth.

http://www.ementalhealth.ca/Ottawa-Carleton/Child-and-Youth-Counsellors/index.php?m=heading&ID=60 Various names and contacts of Child and youth care cousellors in Ottawa.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMolzESn4oI The Sneetches a great video to teach children about diversity and that it is okay to be different.

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/ProfessionalSupportServices/ChildandYouthServices.aspx Toronto district school board on what child and youth care services are available.

The reason i choose these certain resources is i wanted to have a diverse amount or articles and videos to give child and youth care professionals various sources of information from different point of views. i feel each resources will provide CYC’s with the right amount of Information and help they may be seeking on each topic. My resources include a treatment centre, a very update news article, local listing of counsellors in Ottawa, A video to help everyone understand the importance of diversity, and finally and article on the Toronto district school explaining what child and youth care is and the services they provide within a school. 

[anonymouscycw]

Top 10 Significant Learnings that will be Invaluable in the CYC Field

10. Don’t take things personally. 

Learning to not takes things personally was important in my experience. Not getting angry when a youth lashes out, not having a reaction, lets them know that you are not going to walk away from them. They take enough things personally, you don’t need to!

9. The Importance of knowing the different approaches.

At least trying to know and understand all of the different approaches to CYC Work. Whether it be strengths based, trauma informed or a mixture of everything under the sun, knowing these things and being able to reference and put them use is important.

8. It takes time.

You’re not gonna change someones life in a shift. To build a relationship, to build trust, to build an understanding of each other takes time. 

7. The Importance of Safety.

The youth need to feel as safe as possible. If you’re in their home they need to know that you’re safe to be around. They need to know that the other youth are not threats to them. If they do not feel safe, they won’t be able to grow as people. 

6. Teamwork.

As a CYCW you need to be able to depend on your team. This includes you’re equals and you’re superiors. Having a team that has your back means easier and better work gets done. You should be able to get what you give.

5. Confidentiality. 

Confidentiality is huge in this field. It was especially significant to me because of where I worked. Working in a small community meant people are likely to know you, you’re youth or the workers. You need to be conscious of this at all times, in and out of work. You’re likely to run into the youth at events or local places. It should always be their decision whether they acknowledge you or not.

4. Reflection.

I feel this is a big one. I think after  any big event at work, or even after every shift or every few; Reflect. Look at the discussions you had, look at the decisions you made. Don’t overthink it, just acknowledge it and make room for change.

3. Professional Development is essential.

You should always be growing as a CYCW. You should always be networking. You should always want to further your education. Reading articles and journals, keeping up with the latest news, taking classes if available, etc. Always be expanding and learning, you’re never done.

2. Community Resources.

In my first year we did a project that made us find all the different kinds of services available in our area for all populations. This may be one of the best things I’ve done in school. Being able to have that knowledge and a quick reference if someone needs something or has an issue is invaluable.

1. Debbie Downers VS Positive Pollys.

I noticed a lot of negativity while working. I decided you can’t change their attitude, you can only be in charge of your own. Don’t let the Debbie Downers get to you! These youth need need Positive Pollys!

Well those were my Top 10 Learning Moments! I hope you enjoyed! If you’re a new CYCW leave some of your best learning moments!

[positivepastel]

How to stay Positive 🐝

1. Be yourself. Live authentically. To quote Dr. Suess, “There is no one alive that is you’er than you.” Don’t try to be someone you’re not to impress people. You will always be happiest when you are being your true self.

2. Contribute to the world in any way that you can. Maybe for you that’s picking up garbage on your way home from work, or giving money to a homeless person on the street, but you will become a more positive person if you are giving back.

3. Be grateful. Acknowledge how fortunate you are and be thankful that you have simple things like heating, food, and shelter. If you are grateful you will always be able to think more positively.

4. Be optimistic. So maybe you missed your 10:30 showing of Beauty And The Beast, are there later showings? Can you plan a rain check? Wouldn’t coffee be nice instead?

5. Surround yourself with positive people. Odds are, if you spend your time with negative people you’ll become more negative. When we are around positive people we become more positive ourselves.

6. Don’t be discouraged. You will never fail until you stop trying!

7. Be a realist. Everyone has their bad days, everyone. Lest,  I remind you that Walt Disney, J.K. Rowling, and Steven Spielberg, were all rejected before they ever succeeded.

8. Be like Elsa and let it go. Okay so Elsa may not have been the most positive person at first, but by the end of the movie she learned to make a positive out of what was once a negative situation! Don’t hold on to anger, fear, or hurt. Keep moving forward and forgive others and yourself.

9. Help someone else. It’s so easy to make someone’s entire day. Compliment someone’s new clothes or hair cut, hold doors open for people, smile at strangers and share inspirational quotes with friends. You will feel so much happier and positive if you make someone else feel that way.

10. Kick fear to the curb. Stop letting “what if’s” control your life. Be brave and trying something new, or do something that might scare you. Doing something is always better than doing nothing; you might just surprise yourself!

11. Stop and smell the roses. Appreciate everything around you: sights, smells, music. When we don’t take time to breathe we become stressed.

12. Put down those chips. Junk food might make you feel good for a moment but it will only make you feel unhappy down the road. Swap a milkshake for a smoothie, Soda for a glass of water or a cup of green tea, ice cream for a fruit bowl and so on. We can actually eat a lot more raw foods than processed foods without gaining weight or feeling bloated.

13. Get out there. Make plans! Stop scrolling through instagram and snap stories feeling bad about yourself because it’s a Friday night and you’re at home. It’s always nice to stay in every now and then but it’s also enjoyable to get out into the world and socialize.

14. Get your beauty sleep. 7 hours minimum to function and 8 ideally. It’s impossible to be positive when you’re cranky from not getting enough z’s.

15. Exercise. Find the exercise for you. Maybe it’s swimming, hiking, cycling, yoga, dance, or basketball. Working out will make you feel powerful, happy, and accomplished.

16. Don’t compare yourself to others. Other people’s beauty does not take away from your own. Yes, Sarah from math class has a really nice smile…but have you seen yours? Wow.

17. Accept yourself.  Change what you can change and love what you can’t.

18. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Take yourself out of the situation. Is this really a big deal? Will it affect you tomorrow? What about next week? Next month?

19. Be empathetic. Your friend just cancelled your plans for the evening because he is feeling too anxious. What can you say to show him that you’re accepting of his situation? Can you offer up an alternative plan? People want to spend time with people who are kind and accepting of them.

20. Accept that life isn’t linear. There are always going to be ups and downs and that is absolutely normal! You just have to ride the wave  instead of letting yourself drown.

[cycadvocate-blog]

Welcome

This blog is to focus on the rights for Children as Child and youth care workers but we’re here to talk about everything. 

From self-care techniques, to activities and workshops, and even what it means to be a CYC worker. 

Hit us up, we’re here to talk.