‘Parentemonials’: Laura

Change is hard for most of us — guilty! But changing schools at a young age can be quite dramatic as Laura finds out for both her young ones. However, after joining the Free to Play after school program, a shift is evident in Grayden. 👀

Independence, a positive peer group, and leadership qualities are already starting to show their positive impact on all their lives. 🎉

Every single family situation is unique, and Laura and her family have their own story. Ultimately Free Play for Kids is invaluable for Laura, being a part of the village required to raise her kids. We are honoured and thrilled to support you and yours Laura, thanks again for the insightful conversation! ❤️

Transcript

There was a definite shift. I didn't anticipate the switching of schools being such a dramatic experience for both of my children. So they were kind of grieving the loss of the friendships that they had made at their other school.

You know, the typical parent picks a child up from school. "How was school?" "Sucked. I don't have any friends. I miss my old friends. I hate the school." Like that was his impression.

But since then, after he joined Free Play, it's who he's hanging out with. It's actually giving him a lot more independence.

We went from five o’clock when Free Play is over. Now it's like five thirty. "I'm going to walk my friends home from school." I've come to pick him up at the school and he's like, "Pick me up. I'm at Michael's Park," and I have to Google Maps because I didn't know where that was. But it was like a prearranged thing where he had asked me if he could walk his friend home.

Forming relationships through Free Play, he's organizing his own setups. So just on the March break, we had a rec center play date where he went to play basketball with one of the kids that’s in Free Play, so it was really cool he initiated that.

Times are tight for even families who have double income. So the fact that there is this program that is Free Play that has a "contribute what you can" option to it, or volunteer, or these interviews — you have like multiple options of whatever works for your family — that your children can still participate. Because it's been a thing with extracurricular programs. Where it's like, how do you explain to your children that other kids get to, and yours can't because of a financial restriction?

"But... are you recording?"
"Yes, he is recording."
"Okay..."

Our ✨ Parentemonials 💫 series will focus on sharing stories from families that benefit from Free Play For Kids!