Do you know when it’s time to turn your child’s car seat from rear-facing to forward-facing? What signs should you look for to know whether they’re ready to ride forward-facing?
In 2011 the Academy of Pediatrics recommended that children remain rear-facing car seats until age 2. Studies show that children this age are “75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they are riding rear-facing,” the academy said at the time. Many states have recently changed their law to require that parents to comply with this recommendation including Illinois, which passed the law just this month. Keep this in mind for your next road trip to Chicago!
A new study from Chicco, makers of infant and child car seats, found that 28% of parents are unaware of the appropriate age to turn their little ones around and that parents who turn their child forward-facing prematurely are not reading the right cues:
40% think their child’s legs look too cramped. 32% think their child simply looks uncomfortable rear-facing. 19% say they will turn their child around based solely on what they see other parents doing. 9% even say they would turn their child around before the age of 2 because they noticed other children their child’s age, or younger, were already forward-facing.
Win a Fit2™ Infant and Toddler Car Seat!
Chicco is striving to educate parents about the importance of keeping kids rear-facing for as long as possible through its TurnAfter2™ campaign, a national movement that asks parents to share photos of their children riding rear-facing in the car and using #TurnAfter2 in the captions. Since the campaign launched last year, 26% more parents are aware of the 2-year rear-facing recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and ten states have passed legislation requiring children to remain rear-facing until at least age 2.
And while the current law in Ohiorequires only that child remain in a car seat until age 4 (they recommend that children remain rear-facing until age 2), it is best to keep your toddler rear-facing in their car seat until age 2.
To encourage parents to keep their child rear-facing until age 2, Chicco has launched their new Fit2™ Infant and Toddler Car Seat which makes it easy with two unique rear-facing positions. The seat is designed to comfortably accommodate an infant and toddler, with even the longest legs, as they grow within the first 2 years.
Enter by August 24 to win. One entry per person. Winner will be notified on August 27 via email.
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This post is sponsored by Chicco USA. Visit www.chiccousa.com and follow Chicco on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on product launches, giveaways and more.
I have a kindergartner. I knew it was coming. Not only is it the natural progression of growing up, but also our family had been talking about it and planning for it. We were prepared. Until I wasn’t.
It hit me the night before my son’s first day, when the new backpack was packed, the outfit was picked out, the shiny new school shoes lined up. Suddenly I found myself unable to control the tears as I stood washing dishes at the kitchen sink. Kindergarten? All day? Already?
How would we manage the early morning alarm when my son so enjoyed lazy mornings hanging out? How would it be not having him around in the afternoon, asking for me to build Legos or play a game or set up materials for an art project? Some days his incessant questions were too much, but now I found myself wondering if I’d miss them.
But here’s the thing: I knew he was ready. Yes, he was a little nervous and a little scared— that’s only to be expected— but he was also excited. He needed the new challenge. He needed to meet new friends, learn new things and be engaged in the school environment. Mentally and emotionally, he was ready and I know he will be fine. In fact, I know he’s going to soar. I just needed to be ready to let him.
Isn’t that where the push/pull of parenting happens? We want our kids to do well, we want to set them free to learn and discover and be independent, but we also want to hold onto them, keep them safe and protected and forever ours. I know this is just beginning, too, that push/pull of letting go while still holding on. After all, my son is only 6.
The morning of the first day the whole family walked him to the bus stop. I kissed and hugged him a hundred times, I’m sure, as a lump rose in my throat when we saw the yellow bus pull onto the street. Thankfully he didn’t know any better yet and let me give him one last kiss and hug as the bus doors opened. The driver waited. Students already on the bus looked out the window at a mom whose voice cracked as I waved good luck. He climbed the steps and picked his seat like a champ. He looked so little in those big seats, but he also looked so happy. He waved. The doors closed and off he went. I cried on the walk home.
And then, when the afternoon rolled around and it was time to get him off the bus, he ran off that big yellow vehicle with a huge smile and arms outstretched.
“How was your day?” I asked.
“It was GREAT!” he said excitedly.
And just like that, I knew it was all going to be okay. He was ready. And finally, I was, too.
This month’s parent in profile Adam Fineske, Sylvania Schools superintendent, shares his love for education.
Adam Fineske, superintendent of Sylvania Schools and father to three school-aged children in the district, confesses that he’s living his dream. “I feel lucky to have this opportunity; this is truly my dream job,” explains Fineske. “I plan to be [in Sylvania] a long time. We just built our dream home here and we don’t want to go anywhere. I couldn’t imagine wanting anything more.” He adds jokingly, “At 41, I have a lot of time left!”
Living and working in the same district may have its challenges, but Fineske focuses on the positives. “You’re so on the radar—everyone is watching—but I wholeheartedly believe being embedded in the community where I work and live is important. It’s a huge strength to be engulfed in the Sylvania culture that makes this such a great place to live.”
Educational upbringing
Both of Fineske’s parents were elementary school teachers, and he discloses, “All I knew was education. Education was #1 in our home. No matter what you did, you did well in school. My parents, especially my mom, was an unbelievable educator with Toledo Public Schools…and she was so actively involved with her kids, in and outside of the classroom.”
His parents dedication to education inspired the same in Fineske as a child. “When I was in third grade, I started a school in our basement,” Fineske reminisces. “I called it the Red/Green School, and I used a stoplight as the logo. Every kid in the neighborhood, probably about 15 kids…came to my school that summer.”
“For 5 summers, until I was in 8th grade, I helped kids struggling in certain subjects. Later those parents and kids said how much of a difference I made,” he recalls. “I did well in school and just wanted to help kids. That’s why I’m an educator: helping kids and the community.”
Fineske’s three kids all attend Sylvania schools: Elizabeth (15) is a sophomore at Northview, Andrew (12) is a seventh grader at McCord, and Nicholas (8) is a third grader at Highland Elementary. His advice to parents is simple: “Get involved as much as possible and make education a top priority at home and with everything you do with your kids. That’s what my parents did.”
Adam Fineske and family.
“Our schools are open environments,” Fineske asserts. “Teachers crave parental involvement, so don’t ever feel like you’re doing too much. The more you’re active with your child’s education, the more your child will see that and [realize that] school is important. In today’s day and age, parent/teacher communication is number one, and our teachers are available and responsive to parents.”
Fineske has been in education for 19 years, and much of that time was spent working alongside and with teachers. He perceives education from all angles: as a parent, a teacher, and an administrator.
Fineske began his educational career as a third grade teacher, and then as an intervention specialist, before moving to administration. He worked as Assistant Principal in Sylvania at Arbor Hills and Principal at Hillview before moving to the Central Office as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Fineske’s hard work and dedication eventually led him to become Assistant Superintendent and finally Superintendent.
What’s your favorite activity to do with your family?
To go on vacation—two every year: spring break with family in Florida and something fun in the summer. This summer we’re going to D.C..
Best holiday memory from when you were a kid?
I got a Cleveland Browns starter jacket one year. I’m a huge Browns fan.
What’s your go-to activity when you have a few minutes to yourself?
Exercise. A good run or a bike ride truly energizes me.
Describe your life in five words or less.
Non-stop, busy, fortunate, thankful. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What is your favorite Sylvania hangout?
Mayberry Square. We go there for breakfast, pizza, ice cream, Mexican.
Describe Sylvania in a sentence.
Sylvania is a thriving community based on strong family values, amazing business support, and a strong belief in education.
It doesn’t seem possible that it is time to say goodbye to the relaxed days of summer, but alas, it’s August and that means school bells will soon be ringing. As you and your family prepare to tackle a new school year, here are some tips to make the transition to a new grade a little easier on everyone including ideas for juggling school and sports, how you can say goodbye to bullying, and how to prepare your little one for preschool, all in this year’s Back to School Guide.
The Juggling Act: Keeping it Going with School and Sports
NDA twins Madeline and Emily Vining share their secrets to success By Erin Marsh
The demands of education—the rigorous curriculum, national testing standards, and tough competition–can make the time commitment of extracurriculars trying. Twins Madeline and Emily Vining, seniors at Notre Dame Academy (NDA), manage to juggle the requirements of school and sports, showing success with both.
The Vining twins.
Keep the balance
Emily and Madeline began running cross country as kindergarteners through the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) diocese program and continued through elementary school. They dabbled in soccer, basketball, and swimming, yet the girls quip that they “dropped those once we got to high school. We weren’t as good at (other sports as we were at) running!”
Dan and Patty Vining, the twins’ parents, tried to maintain the equilibrium between sports and school. “We always said they could do one sport/activity at a time,” Dan said. “We didn’t support competing in multiple sports at one time. We believe you need to keep balance in life.”
Once the girls reached high school, they added track and field to the athletic mix, dropping other sports. Madeline runs the 2 mile, 1 mile, and ½ mile, and Emily laughs, “I run everything! From the mile down to the 400 and everything in between.”
The girls, turning 18 in September, spend between four or five hours every weekend at their track/cross country meets, and they practice daily with their team for two hours. Despite these long hours, Madeline and Emily excel academically. Madeline hopes to study engineering or law next year in college; Emily wants to major in medicine or engineering.
Secret to success
Madeline shares the secret to effectively juggling multiple commitments: detailed planning. “I definitely need to organize and plan ahead. I have a planner, and I have my week all planned out, including what homework needs to be done and when practice is.”
Emily adds that it’s about “taking the thing that’s the most important and working that into [the schedule] first and making sure it gets done.”
Madeline credits their parents for developing their attention to detail and organizational skills. “My parents definitely taught me [how to organize and plan] starting in grade school. They taught me it’s better to just get it done, and then you don’t have to worry about homework later.”
Advice for parents and students
For parents just beginning the journey into sports, Dan advises, “Try different things and experience different things. As a parent, ask yourself what are they interested in? Help guide them to things where they are more naturally inclined. That helps from a success standpoint.”
“Let the kids determine a path,” he adds. “Sports can get overly competitive, maybe more so with parents than with students, and I see a lot of traveling sports. That balance has been lost in some sense.”
For students learning to handle both sports and school, Emily suggests, “Balance both and have a strategy for them. Look at the bigger picture–like good grades and being good at sports. What’s the better outcome?”
Despite the stress that sports can add to a teenager’s full academic load, both girls love running and being part of a team…being part of something bigger than themselves. Emily explains, “I think definitely a big part of sticking with it has been being part of team. It makes me come to life and come back the next year.”
Madeline echoes Emily’s sentiment, including that it’s also about “having a good team and a good coach who makes you want to work hard.”
The girls and their parents agree that despite the travails of a full schedule, the benefits of working as a team, competing against others, and learning to handle both success and failure outweigh any negatives.
Bye Bye Bullies
Teaching kids to be kind By Emily Remaklus
Over the years schools have changed in a number of ways—teaching methods, use of technology, class requirements—but one thing that has, unfortunately, not changed is bullying. Bullying is sadly an issue throughout all American schools, with 21% of kids from 12-18 years old reporting some form of bullying.
Bullying defined
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines bullying as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.” The behavior has to be repeated or at least have the potential to be repeated.
3 types of bullying
There are three common types of bullying. The first, and often the one most people think of when they hear the word “bullying” is physical. This, like it sounds, involves physically hurting someone or their belongings. Verbal bullying is also pretty straightforward. Its when someone says or writes mean things, and can include teasing, name-calling, making inappropriate sexual comments, and taunting. Lastly is social bullying, also called relational bullying. A little less obvious, this is when someone tries hurting another person’s reputation or relationships which can be done by leaving someone out on purpose, spreading rumors, or embarrassing someone in public.
4 bullying roles
Bullying incidents involve many more kids than just the one being bullied and the one doing the bullying. There are four other roles that students of all ages may take on during a bullying situation. Kids who assist are students who don’t necessarily start the bullying, but they assist by encouraging or joining in. Kids who reinforce are those who are not directly involved, but act as the audience for the incident. Their laughing and support encourages bullying to continue. Outsiders are students who separate from the bullying incident, and they don’t reinforce or defend. Lastly, kids who defend are those who comfort the child being bullied and might come to the defense when bullying occurs. It is important to remind kids that even if they are not the one directly bullying, their role in the incident can encourage bullying to continue.
Get involved
One of the best ways for adults to get involved is by helping to prevent bullying before it even begins. Adults should help kids understand what bullying is, communicate openly, encourage kids to do what they love, and model how to treat others.
If bullying is already occurring, it is important for adults to respond quickly and consistently. Some simple steps are to separate the involved kids, make sure everyone is safe and respond to any health needs, stay calm, and model respectful behavior while intervening.
Bullying is unfortunately an issue that is not easily resolved and is probably an issue that won’t end anytime soon. However, with the right tools we can work together to try to lessen this problem. For more information on how to stop bullying, visit stopbullying.gov.
Prepare for Preschool
Things to consider when choosing a preschool program By Erin Marsh
Studies continue to prove what many parents have learned through experience: a quality preschool program helps prepare children emotionally, socially, and intellectually for kindergarten and beyond.
Sending a toddler to preschool may be emotionally daunting for parents, but childhood experts agree that the benefits are indisputable. Preschool is not simply about gaining an academic edge; children learn independence, gain self-confidence, socialize with peers, and practice becoming a student at preschool.
Learned skills
Preschoolers gain academic skills and pre-literacy skills as well. National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) director W. Steven Barnett, PhD, explains, “Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not.”
Preschool programs are geared for children ages 3 to 5, although a few local programs will accept children as young as 2.5 and/or who are potty trained. These early-education programs follow the school calendar, with no school during the summer, and typically offer part-time (a few days a week or half days) and/or full-time options.
Early childhood education is generally split into two philosophies of learning: play-based and curriculum-based.
In a play-based preschool, children learn through play and exploration. Teachers create learning centers that rotate regularly, each one focused on fine-tuning skills through play, and children are free to choose centers at their discretion with adult supervision and interaction.
In a curriculum-based preschool program, educators use age-appropriate activities to teach pre-literacy skills in order to prepare children for kindergarten.
How do you know which preschool is right for you?
Finding the right fit for your child means researching the various preschools in your vicinity and considering your child’s temperament and interests. Consider location—proximity to your home, work, or caregivers—how long you want your child in school, and whether you want a play-based or curriculum-based program.
Then begin asking for recommendations. Schools with great track records often have long waiting lists, so it’s best to start researching at least one year before you anticipate sending your child to preschool.
Visit and observe
Once you’ve narrowed down your list, visit the preschool and talk with the teacher. Do you feel comfortable? Is the facility clean and organized? Are children playing in different activity centers and learning at their own pace? Are there a variety of skill levels and creations? Are there plenty of materials for students to use in their creations and independent play?
Each child will handle parent separation differently. Some kids don’t look back and others cry every day for weeks. Prepare your child by talking about school before the start date, and discuss all of the things they may do and learn at their “big kid school.”
Schools provide wonderful resources and interactions that are difficult to provide otherwise, and before you know it, your sweet toddler will have transformed into an independent, thoughtful little preschooler.
It’s Okay to be Away
Tips to handle separation anxiety By Emily Remaklus
For many young children starting school is an exciting time in their lives, but for some this change can be very stressful. It may be the first time the child has been away from their parents which may lead to separation anxiety that a young child feels when separated, or even perceives that they will be separated, from their parents.
Symptoms of separation anxiety can be noticeable before the actual separation happens. Some signs that a child might have separation anxiety are an extreme over attachment to parents and/or a worry that something bad might happen to their family. At home this could mean that the child doesn’t like to be alone in one part of the house when their parents are somewhere else in the house. They may have a tough time saying goodbye to their parents and could even have physical symptoms—stomach aches, headaches, etc.—when they are anticipating being separated.
Lessen the anxiety
To help ease the anxiety of separation, preparation is key. Prepare the child for what they can expect in school. Take advantage of open house opportunities where children can get familiar with the school before the first day. This helps make the new building seem less intimidating. If a visit to the school is not possible, talking about what the child can expect at school can help. Also make sure to help the child feel excited, too. Talk about all the fun things that will happen in school, let them pick out what they want to wear, have them help you shop for new school supplies. If the child is excited about school, they will feel less anxious.
As the first day gets closer, start creating a morning routine so they know what to expect. This can help lessen the anxiety.
On the first day of school give your child a special goodbye and make your exit. It can be difficult to leave your child right away, but lingering will just make the goodbye more difficult. Teachers know how to help new children get settled into the classroom and can help them find a fun activity to distract them.
If you know your child is likely to have some anxiety during the day, sending something small and special, like a note or picture, can help act as a reminder of mom and dad for the child. Also, having something exciting planned for after school, like a trip to the library, can be something for the child to look forward to and gives you a great chance to talk to your child about their first day.
Building Bridges
Communicate and connect with your child’s teacher By Janeen Lewis
Do you feel intimidated when you think of talking with your child’s teacher? What if your child complains about problems with his or her teacher? What do you do then?
As a parent and a teacher, I’ve been on both sides of the teacher’s desk. Here are some tips to help you communicate and connect with your child’s teacher so that all involved can have a great year.
Meet and greet the teacher. Teachers like to meet parents at the beginning of the school year so that if a problem does occur, a teacher’s first encounter with a parent isn’t a call about misbehavior or academic struggles. If your school hosts a Back-to-School Night before school starts, make it a priority to attend. Introduce yourself and show your support for the teacher. You may not be able to have a lengthy discussion, but making this initial contact helps break the ice.
Be involved. One of the best ways to get to know your child’s teacher is to be involved in the school and classroom. Let the teacher know if you can volunteer during the day or offer to organize donations or supplies for projects or parties by setting up a parent sign-up list online. Ask if you can cut out items the teacher has laminated or track down supplies for a lesson. Come to after-school events, school productions and parent-teacher conferences. If your career is related to something your child’s class is studying, offer to come in and answer questions.
Keep communications open and positive. Teachers welcome questions and concerns and prefer to know about problems early so they can determine the best way to deal with them. Your child’s teacher should be open to your questions and suggestions. Keep up with written teacher notes, field trip permission slips, report cards and any other written communications the teacher sends home.
Remember to keep communications positive. If you have concerns or think the teacher has dealt unfairly with your child, don’t dash off a negative note and send it first thing the next morning. For sensitive conversations, call and set up a time to meet after school.
Try to understand both sides. Teachers have a lot to manage in their classrooms, and with twenty-five or more students to supervise, sometimes they make mistakes or don’t see every problem. Your child may think something happened in class that wasn’t fair, and it’s easy as parents to react emotionally and blame the teacher. But support the teacher as much as possible while you gather information about what happened. Try to help your child to see the teacher’s point of view, and talk about how people can have differences and still work together to succeed.
Advocate for your child. Don’t be afraid to speak up if a problem in your child’s class becomes pervasive. If your child’s grades start to slip, he or she is continually unhappy or you suspect your child is being bullied by a classmate, work with the teacher to devise a plan to help.
Make a change as a last resort. Sometimes children have personality conflicts with their teachers. This actually offers an opportunity for growth if teachers and students can work together in a respectful and productive manner. After all, this is what children will need to be able to do when they grow up. But if problems persist, it may be time to request a change to another class. Discussing your options with a school counselor or administrator may help you navigate a tough year.
Understand that teachers are human. Most of the teachers I know are caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of the children they teach. Often, they are parents too and, at one time, they were students who lived through awkward growth spurts, problems with peers, lost homework and braces. They understand what parents and kids are going through, and they strive to build a positive connection between school and home.
Summer is winding down and around the corner is the start of a new school year. The stress of the school routine, homework, sports, and other activities is about to start, but here are some simple things to help make the most of it. Our oldest is 11 and our youngest is 6 and I have learned a few things (often the hard way); so, I hope sharing a few tips can make the transition back to school a bit easier for your household!
Get involved! Take time to get to know the teacher and the classroom. Teachers love to see involved dads.
Be the disciplinarian. Kids actually thrive on routine, so set one up that works for your family and stick with it. Set aside time for school work and play time each day. A regular bedtime is key—kids need sleep and it’s better for everyone to go to bed at the same time nightly.
Eat healthy. I enjoy a good beer or nice glass of bourbon and a burger and fries, but as we men get older, that gut can get bigger if we don’t keep it in check. So balance the splurges with plenty of fruits and vegetables, too. Trust me; I lost 20 pounds over the last couple years just by doing this.
Exercise. My wife and I both work out regularly and participate in a few 5K races each year and the kids definitely notice; my 11 year old already says she wants to run and will turn down unhealthy food because she knows it will make her tired later in the day. Kids notice what we do, so be mindful and model positive, healthy habits.
Plan trips in advance. My sister’s family sets camping trips a year ahead of time so they ensure full use of their camper 5-6 times each year, and it works. Do the same with your family; schedule a few trips NOW that you can look forward to when you’re bogged down during the school week. Perhaps plan to visit some picturesque towns in northern Michigan like Boyne Mountain for a winter ski trip or tour the Lake Erie islands in the spring. Indianapolis has a great children’s museum to check out or head down I-75 to check out the sights of Cincinnati. There’s a lot to do, as well, that’s close to home.
Balance time with your kids during the school year. I know it’s a challenge but it needs to be done. For example, I make it a point to drive them to school whenever possible and have small conversations about whatever they want. It’s their time to talk about what’s been going on with the other kids and talk candidly about how they are feeling in general. My wife and I also go to every effort to have a family dinner at least 3-4 nights/week. It’s tough with all of our schedules, but this time is crucial for connecting with your kids and making sure they know you are genuinely interested in their lives.
Talk during the chaos. We are all busy, but it’s often the small side conversations that matter the most. I’ve had some of the most meaningful conversations with my kids during bed time. This is often when they get very honest about what’s happening in their lives that they don’t bring up during any other time. So try this if you haven’t already, and don’t rush it. Who cares about that TV show that’s starting in 5 minutes, or that email you forgot to send earlier. This is a great time to bond with them so take advantage of it!
Schedule time with your significant other. As I get older, I see more and more people go through the big D and I really think at least half of those could have been avoided with better communication and just spending one-on-one time without the kids. So take your children to the grandparents’ house, aunts/uncles, even friends for the night and schedule a little getaway. And while a weekend away is great, even just regular date nights (at home or out on the town) are great for staying connected during this busy season of life.
Have fun! Life is short and these kids are only young once.
The people in a teen’s inner circle are often the best resource when a young person is struggling. Knowing how to reach out is a crucial first step. Hannah Lucas is a 15-year-old making a major impact with an app that allows users to ask for help with the touch of a button. Co-created with her 13-year-old brother, Charlie, the notOK app automatically sends a GPS location to up to five pre-selected contacts along with a text message that reads: Hey, I’m not OK. Please call me, text me, or come find me.
As teens often feel more comfortable connecting through their phones, the notOK app is a valuable resource for anyone who suffers from loneliness, depression, suicidal thoughts, or other stressful situations.
Hannah’s story
Two years ago, Hannah missed 70 percent of her high school freshman year due to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or POTS, a rare condition that causes spontaneous fainting. She was repeatedly bullied for being “the sick kid” and became severely depressed.
“I was terrified to do anything,” Hannah says. “I constantly lived in a state of anxiety. At those moments in my life, I wished I had an app where I could press a button and instantly notify my friends and family that I was not OK. I told my brother about it and he started working on it the next day.”
“When Hannah was sick, I couldn’t do anything,” Charlie laments. “But when she told me about the app, I knew this was one thing I could do to help. So I immediately started wire-framing the prototype version.”
Now Hannah regularly uses the app. “I’ve been managing my symptoms for a while now, so whenever I get an ‘uh oh’ moment, it takes a quick three or four seconds to get my phone out and press the button before I pass out. The GPS location is probably the most important thing for me so people know where I am.”
Positive impact
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 49.5 percent of adolescents between the ages of 13 to 18 have a mental or emotional disorder. The notOK app allows teens in crisis to immediately seek help when they are feeling vulnerable.
“On the Twitter and Instagram sites, I’m constantly getting positive feedback from users who love the app,” Hannah says.
Charlie uses the app as well. “I have panic attacks and they aren’t fun. So I whip out my phone, press the button, and my friends or my mom contact me. The notOK app takes the guesswork out of asking for help.”
A highly acclaimed success
Launched in January, 2018, the notOK app has gained massive attention with over 49,000 downloads in just the first three months. It has won the 2018 MHA mPower Award and the 2018 NAMI Young Leader Award and scored its first investor. Motivated to be of service, Hannah and Charlie are enthusiastically expanding the notOK app to include different languages and other countries.
Hannah says it best: “It’s a freeing feeling, knowing you’re not alone.
