On the Coast – Families Issue 92 | February / March 18

empowerment, with the goal that this may reduce future rates of depression and anxiety in young people. This we believed, was the best we could do, and with that, the commitment was made. With this intention firmly in place, I am enthusiastic to share the concepts of Developing Wellbeing: Developing Dreams with the wider community. To reach as many families as possible as we work together to foster empowerment through cultivating happiness, learned optimism and building resiliency. The Developing Wellbeing: Developing Dreams program is designed around five areas which when incorporated consistently into a person’s life, decreases anxiety, depression and illness while improving overall wellbeing such as mental, emotional and physical health. The first of these five areas we refer to is belonging, safety and certainty. Whether a child, a teen, or an adult, wellbeing is unattainable without first experiencing feelings of safety and certainty. Have you ever witnessed anyone who has been through a trauma, or is perhaps experiencing great upheaval in their life and they become fixated on routine, or may feel the need to complete a task? Have you ever needed to do the washing up, just so you felt you had achieved something? In times when you feel you have no control over your world, those clean dishes can represent a massive achievement, one way of achieving certainty again. The dishes are an outcome you can manage, complete and control. For young children, the adults in their world are extremely responsible for the certainty and safety they feel in an often over-whelming and out-of- their-influence world. You can promote feelings of safety and certainty for your children by: Providing predictable routines, while allowing for flexibility. Flexibility promotes resiliency as it allows children to experience the concept that life is not always predictable and may not turn out how you thought. Ensuring your child has access to nutritious food, clean clothing and the love and connection of others. Keeping expectations, responses and consequences appropriate, consistent and logical. When children feel safe in their world, they are then available to experience belonging – the sensation of being a part of a family, a group, or a community. Belonging is essential to human development and fosters positive, life-long relationship skills and increases opportunities to experience genuine companionship. It remains truly important beyond the early years and plays an integral role in supporting one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. Professor, social worker and author Brene Brown states “a deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically and spiritually wired to love, to be loved and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we’re meant to. We break. We fall apart.” This must be the goal of all families, all educators and all friends – to promote feelings of belonging in others, as opposed to the opposite which is sadly expressed by Tessa Shaffer as she reflects, ‘the only thing worse than knowing where she belonged, was knowing where she didn’t.’ I urge you to continue with your day, taking with you an intention to let others know they are important, valued and worthy, and to remember this for yourself too. If we can come together as a community of people, championing for each other’s happiness and personal satisfaction, if we could create groups of positive forces for wellbeing, we would experience a reduction in isolation, sadness and depression. We must try. I look forward to sharing the second area ‘Happiness’ in the next issue. If you wish to gain further information about strategies and information to promote feelings of belonging in your life or believe you would benefit from connecting with other like-minded women, we would love to hear from you at Developing Dreams Early Learning Centre, where we host free empowerment workshops for mothers throughout the year. Keep an eye on our facebook page for upcoming dates. Phone 4358 3155 Teaching Kids Life Skills Building confidence, self esteem and resilience. Learning how to deal with failure, change and fear. Ph: 0412 023 233 Suite 504/1 Bryant Drv, Tuggerah www.lilwisewonders.com.au INDOOR LASER-TAG CENTRE Family Friendly Entertainment Birthday parties Laserblast offers 4 great Party Packages to suit your needs CALL US TO MAKE A BOOKING Also available for Families, Groups & Vacation Cares, Large or Small. Rain, Hail or Shine. 4392 5278 www.laserblast.com.au Unit 6, 132 Chelmsford Rd, Charmhaven Formulating The Future One Thought at a Time... Workshops Early Learning Centre Mentoring Workshops 1 Bridge Avenue Early Learning Chain Valley Bay Centre NSW 2259 Mentoring 4358 3155 1 Bridge Avenue Chain Valley Bay 4358 3155 FEBRUARY/MARCH – ISSUE 92 19

On the Coast – Families Issue 92 | February / March 18 | Page 19