Reflections of Appreciation for our First Volunteer

In March I wrote about A Mama and her daughter coming over to our house for a play date.  In summary, Remy was interested in pushing A Mama's daughter during their stay that Little M (the daughter) cried and got upset that a larger boy would want to push her.  Remy also bit A Mama during their first time playing together.  I wasn't expecting that A Mama would come back after that.  Of course, I hoped that she would :)

The following week, I received and email from her saying that she couldn't make it that week, but offered to come the week after.  She's been coming in every week (except 3 occasions due to illness or allergy)!

Although A Mama's volunteering is supposed to be for respite (since she's only able to do 2 hours per week, and only for a period of three months), I've been able to share a lot of Son-Rise principles with her.  She's watched the DVDs and now is reading Happiness is  Choice.  Her volunteering has helped bring inspiration into the Play Room.

Here's a list of the top 10 things I'm grateful for:

1.  Remy playing with someone (other than Mommy) he likes in his room.  Every time he sees her arrive, he immediately takes her bag off, makes her take off her jacket and tugs her to pick him up.  He's also taken her into his Play Room and shut the door on me.  I am grateful for the excitement and joy that A Mama has brought to Remy every volunteer day.

2.  The opportunity to share what I've learned about Son-Rise Program.  This has been my chance to teach and instruct others in the Play Room, share feedback, take notes, etc.

3.  The opportunity to make fermented vegetables and raw crackers/breads.

4.  The opportunity to make some phone calls if needed, pay bills, etc.

5.  She brings up questions that I might not have thought about.

6.  She brings up worthwhile suggestions that I might not have thought about.

7.  Talking to someone else who genuinely cares about the progress and happiness of my child.

8.  A relief from running around in the Play Room, and stepping back to watch someone else play.

9.  A chance to clean up.

10.  A chance to sit down for five minutes to just rest my eyes.

 Here's A Mama in the Play Room with Remy

...and here's me cleaning...

A Mama, thank you so much for your reliable, gentle and fun-filled volunteer time with us.  We appreciate your attitude, your smile, your energy and friendship.  We look forward to seeing you again next week.

Awesome volunteers wanted!

I've been a little "off" with Remy's Room in the last few weeks... about a month really.  A week after March Break, Remy actually broke the heavy mirror off the wall.  DH reattached it, but Remy ripped it off again the next day.  He's a really strong boy with very busy hands who seeks deep pressure all the time.  I am grateful he didn't get hurt.

Other than the missing mirror in the room, our home dynamics were also temporarily affected.  Today is the first day of a new schedule for all of us.  I'm now officially minding the children from getting up in the morning until about 7PM.  This may not sound like a lot; however, it leaves me with very little time to prep and clean without somehow neglecting the children.

There's just no way around not prepping for supper.  I used to think that I could just get the kids to help prepare meals and clean... hasn't really worked out the way I thought that it would yet.  How do I not neglect feeding my kids and yet not neglect them them while I prepare their meals?  Some help would be nice.

This is why I was SO excited to speak with a passionate and energetic youth yesterday as possibly becoming a volunteer for Remy's Room.  It was so refreshing to hear why she wanted to work with special needs children.  She told me that special children helped her to see life in a totally different perspective.  She told me that special needs people didn't show a care in the world; they were happy with life as it was.  Isn't that beautiful!  How grateful I am that this wonderful young volunteer candidate has learned this so early on in life :)  Life is perfect as it is.  One can only improve and develop to higher levels if one can accept oneself now... in the present.

I want volunteering in Remy's Room to be an unforgettable and enriching experience for everyone involved.  We are seeking volunteers who want to be happy and accepting of self and of others.  We want new ideas, new energies, styles, voices, personalities and friends for our little guy.  This is a very exciting process, and I am glad that recruitment has begun.

With that said, I shall actively update this blog with more information about becoming an awesome volunteer for Remy's Room.  In the meantime, if you know of anyone who might be interested, please let me know.  Or if you know of ways to get this message out, please help.  I look forward to your comments and messages.

Blessed be your day,