Building good relationships with families is important to being a good leader. My job involves working with children and their parents, where communication, confidentiality, and respect are essential. The parents provide valuable information about the children and help us get to know them better. Many families need support as they may be facing unique challenges. Many different situations can give families concern.

     I had a family that was new to Canada. They did not speak the language well, and they were feeling homesick. The child in my care didn’t have proper winter clothing. I tried to make the family feel welcome by adding a welcome sign in their language. I played music from their country. I created a board where they could share information about their country, so we could learn about them and make them feel they belong. I talked to them daily and offered information about social support options for food and clothing. I also provided information about groups in the community centers where people from their countries gathered. The family soon met some people from back home and were able to receive donations. Families from my dayhome also helped with donations for them. I provided information about places where they have their child diagnosed with selective mutism. I also learned more about how to offer support for their child in my dayhome. I invite the family to participate in any event we celebrate in my day home, making them feel they belong and are welcome. It was clearly of great value to them.