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Forest Cottage Centre Email Newsletter: December 2003

"Offering Hope and Help."

In this issue:

• Top 10 Holiday Time-Outs
• Upcoming Workshops
• MOMS' RETREAT                                   
• NEW Employee
• NEW Sibling Support Group
• NEW Home Support & Respite
  

1. Rise and shine
   If you are a morning person, try getting up a few minutes earlier than usual to get a head start on a busy day and have a few extra minutes to relax and focus.  If you are a night person or currently have children with poor sleep patterns adjust this slightly; stay up past midnight (technically morning) and get a few things ready for the next day before heading to bed.
2. Take a walk
   Either indoors (if you walk quickly in the mall you don’t spend as much) or around the block, a brisk walk is a good way to get away from the stresses of the day. Invite a friend, your partner, or your child(ren) to go with you.
3. Get creative
   Get in the mood for the holidays by decorating your house and gifts in a special way. For inspiration, visit local craft shows, scrapbooking stores, and other crafty locations (and, of course, you can watch Martha Stewart – at least until her trial in January!).
4. Rub your feet
   With all of the extra running around, your feet deserve some special care. Soak them for a few minutes in warm water and then rub with some lotion. Better yet… get someone else to do it for you. Coax a family member to help out or book a professional pedicure.
5. Stretch and breathe
   Even if you only have a few minutes, a few stretches and some deep breathing can help you relax. Invest in a "yoga for relaxation" video and use it to finish off your busy day.
6. Soothe your senses
   While doing chores, including wrapping presents, turn on some soothing sounds. Music will make the job seem like more fun.
7. Plan to laugh and relax
   Pick a classic or something to make you laugh and have a family movie night. Or, if you are driving somewhere, borrow a book on CD from the library to take along. Just be careful it isn’t too funny…I recently took a "Vinyl Café" Christmas CD on a trip and nearly drove off the road because I was laughing so hard!
8. Take a coffee break
   Plan little breaks into your day – even if you are at home. Sip some specialty hot chocolate and call a friend or take a moment to look through a magazine.
9. Enjoy some chocolate
   This time of year can be bad for our diets… but we all deserve a few treats so indulge in an occasional favorite.
   Reflect on your year

Think back on the past year and jot down your goals for 2004. What do you want to have change? Do you need a coach to get you started? (blatant plug - my waiting list should be caught up on in early January so I am now accepting new clients)!  What about your New Year’s traditions? I always write a letter to my child at this time of year about how I have seen her grow over the past year. These are stored in a safe and will all be given to her for her 19th birthday.

Best wishes for a peaceful and happy Christmas!

- Tanya Helton, M.Sc., Life Coach

*Based on an excellent article in Kraft’s what’s cooking (Festive 2003). To subscribe to this magazine visit kraftcanada.com .

Upcoming Workshops

Feb. 27 (Kelowna):  Tanya will be presenting an Attachment Disorder workshop..  More information to follow next month.

May 11 (Prince George):  Tanya and Dr. Geoffrey Ainsworth, Child Psychiatrist at BC Children's Hospital will co-present "Understanding Attachment Disorder," at the Children, Families, and Communities Conference.  For registration and session information visit www.cfcc-pg.ca .

I recently attended an excellent "Stepping Stones" (autism related) workshop presented by Elizabeth McWilliams Hewitt, a Behaviour Consultant/Trainer at Gateway Society of BC.  Although the focus of her work is autism, any of the tools she presents would be valuable for parents of all special needs children so I encourage you to attend if she is in your neck of the woods.  She will be in Quesnel in March and another trainer will be in Prince George in the near future. In addition, Elizabeth offers contracted workshops and regular training opportunities in Delta.  For more information, visit the Gateway Website at www.GatewaySociety.org or e-mail her at emcwh@gatewaysociety.org for more information.

MOMS' RETREAT:  Forest Cottage is partnering with the Peace River Area AFABC (Adoptive Families Association of BC) to present a retreat for all moms of special needs children.  Proposed location is Grande Prairie, AB.  Location and date TBA, likely March 2004.  If you have any suggestions for this event or if you want to receive a special update with details once it is confirmed, please email Tanya.

Forest Cottage Update
Forest Cottage is pleased to announce the addition of Tammy Greer to our staff.  She has a background in Early Childhood Education, Social Services and Child and Youth Care so she is well equipped to assist Forest Cottage families.  Tammy will start in January, providing behaviour interventionist and home support services to families as well as co-facilitating some of our programs.

Siblings Group: 
In early 2004 we will offer a weekly support group for siblings (grades 1-7) of special needs children (all special needs, including behavioural disorders, disabilities, autism, cancer, etc.).  This group will provide training, support and activities to help siblings deal with the unique challenges of living with a special needs child.  This group will operate in Fort St. John.

Home Support and Respite: 
We are in the process of hiring skilled support workers who will be available to provide home support and respite for families with challenging children, as well as for seniors and their families.  Contact our office for more information.  Services will begin in early 2004.