The RelationChick

FORGIVENESS IS A PERSONAL CHOICE AND YOU DON'T OWE IT TO ANYONE ❤️

I scrolled across this post from this morning and I really connected with it. I think it does a great disservice to people trying to heal when we insist that they forgive their abusers. It is entirely possible to heal and move forward without forgiving those who harmed you.

Today, I would like to share some important things I have come to learn over the past few years:

1. It's about autism acceptance, not just awareness - acceptance embraces autistic people as they are, it doesn't ask them to mask their symptoms in order to "fit in".

2. On that note, the autistic community generally rejects the puzzle piece as a symbol because it implies the need to "fit in" with those who are not autistic. Currently, the rainbow or gold infinity symbol is more widely accepted since autism is a fluctuating spectrum that each individual experiences differently.

3. The organization known as Autism Speaks is responsible for the "light it up blue" campaign that you may hear about today. The Canadian chapter of this organization was shut down recently for outdated and harmful practices (again, forcing the idea of "fitting in"). Autism acceptance should not be dependent on autism identification.

I have learned so much about autism in the past few years, and so much about our language and understanding regarding autism has changed since I was a kid.

If you haven't recently taken some time to educate yourself on autism, I highly recommend it.

I STARTED A NEW JOB TODAY!


I haven't started a new job in almost 10 years! That is to say outside of being an entrepreneur. So it's a big day for me 😄


I could write pages and pages about the decision to return to formal employment, and the steps I had to take with my health to be able to return... But all that matters is that this is what is best for me and for my family. Lily is still in daycare and still loving it so much - and so really it's for her that I'm returning now.


I plan to keep going with my Relationchick accounts, this remains a lifelong passion of mine to educate others on early childhood development and healthy family dynamics ❤️


Now I get a chance to experience the challenges and benefits that come with being a working mom!

For those who are in the Toronto area ❤️

MERRY EVERYTHING!!!



Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season ❤️ This time of year can add a lot of outside pressures on the already stressful events of raising children, so do your best to keep yourself and your needs in mind.


The next few days will be a time for rest and organization for us - what are you up to this weekend?

IF YOU'RE THE ONE TAKING THE LEAD ON CREATING THE MAGIC THIS HOLIDAY SEASON - PLEASE DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOURSELF ❤️

THE MENTAL LOAD



It's the last line that speaks to me - because it's about the things that NEED worrying about. And if I'm not looking out and planning for those things then my kids will be the ones to suffer if no one else thinks to think about it. It's the privilege and curse of being the primary caregiver.


How do you deal with carrying the mental load?

My little girl is off to "School" (daycare) today! ❤️🎒🤗


Something I realized over the past few months is that Lily is a daycare kid - she craves constant engagement and stimulation. Her brother was NOT a daycare kid. I enrolled him for a couple of months to help with socialization, and he just shut down. So I pulled him out. I expect that Lily, on the other hand, will thrive in this environment.


I am now enjoying some much needed down time. I haven't had much time to myself since Lily was born over two years ago! So today I am doing NOTHING! In fact, I think I might just go take a nap 😊 However I am also searching for some full time employment, so I'll be busy again soon!!!

A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER!
Courtesy of


As adults, we almost never do something immediately after we are asked to, especially if we're already engaged in doing something. We often get agitated and irritated when we're interrupted. And we often leave things out when we plan to "come back to it later". So why is it we almost never offer our children this kind of understanding?


So often, we equate good behaviour with immediate obedience. This is your reminder that even though you are the parent/adult, that the relationship with your child(ren) is still a cooperative one, where both parties need to feel heard and respected. Negotiating is not a threat, it's an important life skill!

It's a good day to have a silly morning ☺️

Emotional unavailability can severely limit someone's ability to establish or maintain close, fulfilling relationships. These are some key red flags that a partner may not be able to connect.

IF YOU ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO TAKE AND SHARE PICS LIKE THIS OF YOUR CHILD(REN) THEN YOU ARE TRULY BLESSED ❤️


How fortunate am I that I live in a country where my kids can play safely at the park;
How fortunate am I that our biggest unknown most days is simply whether or not bedtime routine will go smoothly;
How fortunate am I that my children are clothed, fed, warm, and safely tucked in at night;
How so very, overwhelmingly, astronomically fortunate am I 💖


I am on the side of humanity, of basic human decency. I am on the side that says people are not pawns. I am on the side that says "I may be uneducated on the overall history and deep-seeded angers, but I definitely know what is and is not right/moral."