National Family Week

October 15, 2015 · 0 Comments

To me there is nothing more important than family. I have three daughters who are a tremendous source of inspiration. All of the important things in life, I have learned from them. I also have two grandchildren, little miracles, who bring me great happiness. Over the years, some of the best moments of my life have been because of them.
National Family Week originated in Canada and takes place the week before Thanksgiving every year. It was proclaimed an official week by the Canadian government in 1985 and it also celebrated in The United Kingdom, The United States and Australia.
National Family Week is largely a public awareness campaign, the purpose of which is to celebrate families. Each year The Canada Association of Family Resource Programs (FRP Canada), a non-profit organization that aims to help families by providing resources, in partnerships with other national organizations, creates downloadable resources for families and those who work with families to access when planning an event in their community. With a different theme each year, National Family week highlights various important aspects of family life. You can find the free downloadable Family Week Kit at FRP Canada’s website www.frp.ca. The kit influences families across Canada to appreciate and celebrate one another, while encouraging them to participate in the activities both found in the kit as well as those run in the community.
Last week The Ontario Early Years Centre located in the Mel Lloyd Centre, 167 Centre Street, Entrance B, celebrated with “Lofty” the magician and approximately 21 families, with upwards of 42 children in attendance. The Ontario Early Years Dufferin offers free programming and a relaxed meeting place for parents, caregivers, other adults and their children to go to. They offer informal playgroup for children which will stimulate their growth and foster feelings of self-worth and stability. They hold parenting workshops focusing on children ages zero to six as well as “Feelings After Birth”, a support group for mothers experiencing feelings of depression, anxiety and other concerns. For more information on The Ontario Early Years Centre you can call them at 519 925-5504, e-mail them at earlyyearsdufferin@dufferincounty.ca or follow them on facebook at Ontario Early Years – Dufferin.
I hope you took advantage of this opportunity and spent quality time with your families getting to know one another better.

By Michelle Janzen