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On September 30th, communities across Canada will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This solemn yet hopeful occasion provides an opportunity to listen, learn, and celebrate Indigenous culture while reflecting on the painful legacy of residential schools. 

This year, the town of Sylvan Lake is hosting a series of events to commemorate this important day. The organizers have put together a thoughtful program that encourages community participation and education: 

6:00 PM – The event kicks off with a gathering at Lions Park. This will be a chance for community members to come together in a spirit of unity and remembrance. 

6:15 PM – Participants will march to Centennial Park, a symbolic journey that represents our collective path towards reconciliation. 

6:30 PM – A special ceremony will take place at the “Let Them Play” mural. This artwork likely holds significance for the community and its message of hope for Indigenous youth. 

7:00 PM – The evening concludes with a Round Dance, followed by Tipis and Tea. This celebration of Indigenous traditions offers a way to end the day on a note of cultural appreciation and community bonding. 

The image promoting the event features an orange t-shirt with the poignant message “Every Child Matters.” This simple yet powerful statement reminds us of the thousands of Indigenous children who suffered in the residential school system and affirms the value of every young life. 

By participating in these events, residents of Sylvan Lake and surrounding areas have the opportunity to actively engage in the process of truth and reconciliation. It’s a chance to acknowledge the past, celebrate Indigenous resilience and culture, and work together towards a more just and inclusive future. 

Whether you’re able to attend in person or commemorate the day in your own way, September 30th serves as a vital reminder of our shared responsibility to listen, learn, and support Indigenous communities across Canada. 

Marny Traverse from Crossroads Foster Care shares a story of challenge in her journey as a foster caregiver for teens.  

A teen who desperately wants freedom and doesn’t want to wait. This teen is chafing under our basic rules and pushing boundaries. They are vulnerable to the suggestions of others and starving for the admiration and acceptance of peers. All of this has led to risky behaviors. 

We have had some tough conversations and implemented some new restrictions for our teen, but our teen is angry and frustrated and often spouts threats of leaving, never speaking to people again or staying in their room forever. I think to myself, I’m sure when there is some distance from the situation, it will be funny.  

However, right now, I am incredibly sad about the choices our teen is making and the possible consequences if they continue with the path they’re on. The tension in our house is thick, and that is not what we want.  

Then we have another teen come to stay with us for a night. With our current teen feeling hostile and a new unhappy teen, we anticipated things might be rough… but, to our surprise, we witnessed both parties displaying their best sides to each other! 

Our teen sat and patiently taught and encouraged the visiting teen the complexities of their football video game. Our teen cheered the teen on through the learning and then proceeded to play the game for the rest of the evening!   

There was no animosity or anger, just a helpful and encouraging individual that we haven’t seen in ages. Our teen had a purpose and in the midst of fulfilling it … shone!! 

I lingered at my computer, needing to just absorb the pleasant chatter and the incredibly positive interactions happening in front of a video game. It was peaceful and positive…it was healing and gave me hope. 

Perhaps our purpose, providing safety and love for teens affected by trauma, will help them find a way to their own purpose. 

Marny Traverse 

Valentine’s Day is almost here and we’re feeling the spirit of love! Take some time this month to share in the love with your family by trying these fun activities, crafts, and games!

Valentine’s Games

Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt

Give your kids a challenge this Valentine’s Day with a scavenger hunt! To plan this activity, first choose a treat as the hunt’s prize (Valentine’s chocolates are a fan favourite!). Second, write a set of clues and hide them around the house (TIP! The clues should be connected to help your child find the prize. For example, the first clue might lead your child to the living room couch, while the second clue may lead to the bathroom, and the third clue leads to under your child’s pillow, where the child finds the hunt’s prize!). Another option is to download our Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt worksheets!

Crossroads Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt

Crossroads Things I Love Handout

Hearts Hopscotch

If you have paper and pens, you have enough for this fun indoor game! Check out Toddler Approved’s tutorial to make your own Hearts Hopscotch!

Candy Dice Game

Satisfy any sweet tooth with this free printable dice game from Cupcake Diaries! Even teens will want in on the action!

Cupid’s Arrow Toss

Paper plates, straws, hot glue, and cardstock are all you need to make this fun game suitable for the whole family! Check out Playground Parkbench to learn how to make it yourself.

Valentine’s Treats

Valentine’s Pancakes

Make breakfast extra special with one extra ingredient: red food colouring! Dye your pancake batter and pour it in the shape of hearts to get your family in the Valentine’s Day spirit.

Chocolate Chip Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

If you’ve got a baker in your home, they won’t want to miss this one! With simple ingredients like boxed cake mix and cream cheese, this easy recipe is bound to be a hit. 

Strawberry Hearts

Add some flair to your kids’ lunch bags with this hack. Simply cut a strawberry in half and remove the leaves with a V-shaped cut to create strawberry hearts!

Heart Sandwiches

If you have a heart-shaped cookie cutter lying around, now’s the time to pull it out. Use the cookie cutter to pop out heart-shaped sandwiches for lunches and dinners!

Valentine’s Crafts

Rainbow Heart Suncatchers

All you need is coloured tissue paper, white glue, scissors, a clear page protector and a foam paint brush to make this craft! Visit Fireflies and Mudpies for a tutorial. 

Heart-Shaped String Art

If you have string, a hammer and nails, and a piece of wood available, you can make this creative craft! String art can be done by kids of all ages and is a great activity to practise fine-motor skills! Learn more in this post by Reality Daydream.

Cardboard Lacing Hearts

If your kiddos are learning to lace up shoes or skates, this craft is for them! Using a hole punch, create holes in a heart-shaped piece of cardboard, and let your kids try lacing thick string through each one! Visit Our Kid Things for a guide.

Handprint Flower Bouquet

This fun activity makes a great valentine’s gift and can be completed with supplies from any craft store. Check out this post by Not Toy Gifts to learn how to make your own with your kids!

Watercolour Surprise Heart Paintings

Write your kids a secret Valentine card this year using a white wax crayon on white paper! Then, have your kids paint over the page with watercolours to reveal the message.

Whichever way you decide to celebrate love this season, we at Crossroads wish you a happy Valentine’s day and February! Make sure to visit our Facebook and Instagram accounts to see more Valentine’s content and ideas!

At the start of the month, we discussed challenging behaviours. If you missed that post, make sure to check it out here!

This week, we are taking a look at behaviour management strategies. These are proactive strategies that are used before a challenging behaviour occurs. If your kiddo has challenging behaviours, use these strategies often to build positive routines for behaviour management and take back control!

Strategy 1 – Practise and Reinforce the Desired Behaviours

Do not assume that your kid knows what to do. Kids can struggle with transferring skills from one scenario to another. If you know your kid is going to be asked to do something new, practise the skill with them in advance. See if you can turn practising into a game or fun experience.

Strategy 2 – Give Two Choices

When you sense a power struggle on the horizon, try giving your child two options. Start with the most ideal option, and then the less ideal option. Make sure to share the consequences for choosing each option. After, respect your child’s choice and allow the consequences to occur.

For example, “You can eat your supper now, or you can choose not to. If you eat supper, you will feel full and have the energy to play later. If you do not eat supper, you will feel hungry later. What do you choose to do?”

Remember. Giving choices should never be done when the consequences are severe or dangerous.

Strategy 3 – Build a Contract

This is exactly what it sounds like. Create a contract where you and your child both agree to meet specific expectations and goals. Your contract should include specific behaviour descriptions, a limited number of goals, and a reinforcement plan.

“Emma will use her words instead of throwing things when she is angry with Mom. When Emma talks out her feelings and follows her mom’s requests to complete chores, Emma gets 15 extra minutes of TV time.”

Strategy 4 – Modelling

Modelling can be done in two ways. You can model the desired behaviour yourself by doing it in front of your child and showing them the steps, or you can reinforce someone else for modeling the desired behaviour.

For example, if my son, Sammy was having a hard time cleaning his room, I might say to my other son, Ethan, “Wow, Ethan you did a great job cleaning your bedroom! Because you cleaned your room, you can have 15 extra minutes of video game time today.”

Strategy 5 – Interest Boosting

Interest boosting is a way to motivate your child during an activity by engaging them in conversation about something that interests them. This will hold their attention longer and make completing the activity a positive social experience.

“How did your soccer game go yesterday? Can you tell me about it while we eat dinner?”

Strategy 6 – Remove Distracting Objects

If we cannot get the laundry done when Netflix is playing, how can we expect our kids to get a task done when they are distracted? Plan by putting away objects that may distract your child from completing a task or activity. For example, give toys in the bath only after your child has washed their hair.

Strategy 7 –Reinforce Positive Behaviours

As parents, we want to reinforce positive behaviours. This means that we acknowledge our child’s positive behaviour with praise. Praise can be as simple as verbal encouragement or a high five, a special treat, or extra video game time. Find what is motivating to your child and use it to encourage their desirable behaviours.

“Sarah, you did a great job asking for a break when you felt overwhelmed today. I appreciate how you communicated with me!”

When using these strategies, remember that you do not have control over your child’s behaviour. You can only control what you do!

To be the most effective, these techniques should be used consistently, and worked into your child’s routines. Over time, your child will learn to complete desired tasks and activities with fewer distractions and greater motivation.

If you find that these strategies are not enough to support your child and manage their challenging behaviours, you may benefit from parent coaching with a Crossroads parenting specialist! Give us a call to see how we can help at 780-430-7715.