With all the things going on in the world right now it is easy to forget that for the lucky ones among us Christmas is a time, above all else, to be thankful for what we have. It’s a time to make sure we give ourselves self-care and surround ourselves with those we love.

The truth is that nobody really has an M&S Christmas – it’s more likely to look a bit more like the Simpsons! For many children and young people life isn’t like a movie. It doesn’t look like the pretty scenes on a Christmas card. Their love and care often only come from their carer or social worker.

Calling all professionals who are extremely busy, working excessively long hours and constantly putting others first to try and protect society’s most vulnerable children and young people: if that’s you, we applaud you!

If we were to believe everything we see in the media, then the above sentence couldn’t be further from the truth.

Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.

(from The Polar Express, 2004 film)

At Mind Of My Own we know that it’s the things we don’t see in the media that often happen to be true:

• The thousands upon thousands of children and young people safeguarded by the vigilant teacher or dedicated social care worker.
• The extra hour spent with a person who decided to share with someone something that was troubling them
• That little gift you saw on a day out with your family that you just had to buy as you knew it would put a smile on their face
• The sleepless nights
• The cancelled holiday days

We see it all!

To all the carers, social care workers and teachers out there, at Christmas and always, we are thankful for you, and everything you do.

At this time to be thankful, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.