Neighbourhood Friends and Family Resource Center

published in The Packet

Every evening my husband asks me what I did all day. My answer to that question can be dull. I know my husband won’t show nearly enough enthusiasm about my recently organized and alphabetized spice rack, or the fact that I’ve figured out how to make scrambled eggs in the microwave. I’ve come to dread answering that question, unless I have an unusual answer to give. 

What did I do today?

Today I went to a pajama party, had a picnic lunch on a hockey rink floor, and tried to keep our toddler from stalking a person in a giant bear suit.

I have the Neighbourhood of Friends Family Resource Center to thank for this.  Today was their Family Fun Day at the CEC. They invited families from their centers in Clarenville, Southwest Cove, Swift Current, Come by Chance, Arnold’s Cove, and Random Island for a day of kid-friendly pajama-themed activities.

The children decorated pillowcases, played I-Spy in the sand box, frosted cookies to look like cookie monster, had their faces painted, and their bodies temporarily tattooed. They pranced around in their pajamas (Spiderman pajamas are really hip with the kiddos these days), played with hula-hoops and giant blocks, and were treated to a concert by Terry Reilly. Parents were given identification kits for their children sponsored by the Eastern Region Committee Against Violence, and a chance to suggest a name for the new childcare centre currently being explored by the NFFRC. The children also got a free book to take home with them and story-time at the end of the event.

My daughter’s favorite aspect of the event was Lil’ D, a gigantic teddy bear some poor, sweaty soul was dressed as to take pictures with the children. My daughter wasn’t a fan of pictures with Santa, so I wasn’t sure how she would react to a seven-foot bear. After scoping him out from a distance, shaking hands with him, and cuddling on his lap for a picture, she decided Lil’ D was her new best friend.

After meeting Lil’ D, she wanted nothing to do with any of the other activities.  She’d say bear, rush across the arena to the photo area, and barge through the line of kids waiting to get their pictures taken, so she could introduce herself to Lil’ D again. I’d snatch her up before she photo-bombed some one else’s family picture and try to distract her with another activity, before the whole process started all over again. This went on for over an hour. Once Lil’ D was gone, she’d forlornly walk around the rocking chair he once sat in whispering, “Bear?”

We were both exhausted by the end of the event, but all in all, it was a wonderful day. 

The Neighbourhood of Friends Family Resource Center is an incredible organization. I think their community outreach, their passion for children, and their accessible programming is a tremendous asset to the community. There are few free programs like these where I am from. I’ve added it to my list of awesome Canadian things I think the United States could learn from. It’s right up there with Canadian maternity benefits, chips on credit cards, and gravy on French fries.