“There are lots of different ways to be a family. Your family is special no matter what kind it is”.

                                                                                                                                - Todd Parr

February 20th is Family Day.

Spending time with your family is one of the most cherished moments you can have. Family days are a perfect opportunity to spend meaningful time together, enjoy each other's company, and create lasting memories. No matter what shape or size your family may be, the important thing is that it provides you with a safe place and environment where you can feel love, support and understanding from those who care about you. 

It is a day to celebrate and appreciate our loved ones and the positive support we receive from them. Family can look different for everyone – it's not just about blood relatives, but close friends and extended family can also become part of this special unit. 

Family day is an occasion for families of all shapes and sizes to come together and celebrate their relationships. It's also an opportunity to connect with positive supports who can provide guidance and encouragement throughout life's journey. Participating in activities like game nights, going on hikes or picnics, or spending quality time together are all great ways to bond as a family.

Family Days provide an excellent opportunity to show your family how much you appreciate them. Expressing gratitude for all that they do is just as important as spending time with them! 

Through the joys, successes, struggles and sorrows—that come with everyday life—family members have an opportunity to learn from one another and grow together. Different families can benefit from these positive connections: nuclear, reconstituted, single-parent or adoptive families; extended relationships including grandparents; multigenerational households; same-sex couples; foster families and guardianship arrangements. Regardless of shape or size, these nurturing relationships boost ties between family and provide emotional stability for all involved.

Family day is a time to celebrate the unique diversity of families that make up our communities. Every family is different, but one common thread binds them: positive connections, positive support and community. By identifying and appreciating these connections, we can strengthen our families through Kindness and understanding.

Positive connections come in many forms. It could be the bond between parent and child, the supportive relationships between siblings, bond between friends, or the connection between extended family members like cousins or grandparents.

You're not alone if you feel there's no time left for family time in your busy day. While there are plenty of benefits that can come from having more engaged, quality experiences with your family, these five from The Child Development Institute clearly show just how important family time can be:

• Children feel important and loved.
• They have an opportunity to model their caregiver's behaviour.
• Caregivers can observe and learn about their child's strengths and weaknesses, which helps them to guide them better.
• Children have a chance to voice their thoughts and feelings.
• Caregivers and children develop a stronger bond.

However, if you choose to spend Family Day, do it TOGETHER!

We are Edmonton's only crisis intervention and prevention shelter for infants and children, and we need you.
We want to build a vibrant, thriving community that helps to care for the most vulnerable among us, but we can't do it without your support.
By donating to Kids Kottage Foundation, you are helping keep infants and children safe and families strong.

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Kids Kottage is a registered charity: all donors who donate over $25 will receive a receipt for their contributions.