Being a parent is no easy task. From the time of conception to practically the end of your life, you’re always thinking, worrying, and caring about your children.
A HUGE fear of of mine is having one of my kids start using and abusing drugs or alcohol. Adolescents try so hard to fit in with their peers. They want to be cool. They want to experiment. And sadly, substances find their way to our kids. No matter your background or your bank account balance, your kids will cross paths with some form of drugs.
I do everything that I can to openly communicate with my kids now…while they’re still young and listening to what I have to say. We talk about putting healthy things into our bodies. We talk about what would happen if bad things got in them. We talk about how sometimes people might try to convince us to do things that they know are wrong. We talk a lot.
On Saturday, my husband and I attended the “In My Shoes” art exhibit at the Robert Crown Center for Health Education in Hinsdale, Illinois. This exhibit features art work from teenagers depicting how they dealt with their substance abuse struggles.
Teens suffering from substance abuse selected a shoe that was donated by Rosecrance staff that they felt best reflected their personality and could represent their story. After the shoe was painted white, it served as a blank canvas for them to visualize their story.
Over the course of about two weeks, the teens used acrylic paints and mixed media such as gems, paper mache, glitter, pipe cleaners, etc. to visualize their message, and each piece of work is also displayed with a powerfully written message from the artist.
Reading the stories from those teens really hit home. It was a sobering yet inspiring experience. And though I wish I can just bubble wrap my own children and protect them from all the dangers in the world, the awareness that “In My Shoes” provided is one that will help me help my kids make the right choices.
The Rosecrance “In My Shoes” art exhibit will be on display at the Robert Crown Center from now until February 6, 2015, traveling to cities throughout the Midwest and beyond displaying the shoe artwork also offers information for parents to take with them.
And as a mother of two and an educator for ten years, I highly recommend visiting this eye-opening event. Whether you’re a parent yourself, or have younger nieces and nephews, or even spend time with your friends’ kids, everyone helps impact the future of tomorrow.
To learn more visit: http://bit.ly/1DiaGvP
This is sponsored post, all sassy opinions are my own and 100% honest.
