Family day is a day that may be a leisurely day off work and school but it’s really meant as a way to feel grateful for our connections with those we love and care for. But what happens if our family looks different from others? What happens if we have lost family members or don’t have a positive relationship with family? Family day can bring up a lot of feelings of loss, hurt and isolation for many people.
However, we are now seeing different types of support exist and be celebrated on days like Family Day.
4 things to Remember This Family Day:
Use family day as a reminder to reach out During our everyday lives, we can lose sight of what we value. Use family day as a day to reconnect with those you love and care about- whether that’s biological family or friendships that are meaningful to you.
Take care of yourself Ensure that are doing what you need to do to take care of yourself, particularly on days that might be more difficult for you. This means engaging in self-care practices you enjoy- a walk, a yoga class, reading a book. This could also look like a digital detox and making sure you are present and grounded.
Set Boundaries Setting boundaries could look differently for everyone, especially around holidays. It’s important to know that although we might feel the need to say yes to every invite or obligation, it is also important to respect our own boundaries and what we feel safe and comfortable doing.
Family looks different for everyone When we think of family, we all have different ideas of what that looks like. However, it’s important to remember that family can look very different for everyone. Family can be biologically driven or family might be the one’s who we chose to let into our lives. We can nurture and strengthen our relationships- whether they are related to us or not. __________________________ Written by: Alicia Langlois MSW, RSW
Alicia is a registered social worker, with a Masters of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and holds a Honours Bachelor of Sociology, with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies from Brock University. Her work is grounded in attachment theory and uses a trauma-informed lens in providing treatment through drawing upon techniques from: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Play-Based Therapy.