Calling All Artists!

Calling all artists! Looking for a creative way to express your artwork while enjoying some time spent outdoors with your family? Well, we have the perfect opportunity for you to express your artistic creativity through sidewalk chalk and a slab of concrete!

Family Builders is hosting its second annual chalk art festival, "Chalk the Walk" in just a few short weeks. Just like last year, the event will consist of chalk art competitions for all ages and skill levels; provide family-friendly kids activities; and excite families with access to many different food venues and the enjoyment of live music!

All those great aspects of "Chalk the Walk" have stayed the same, however we do have one major change - our location! This year, we are so excited to be holding this chalk event on the Plaza, in the Plaza Arts District in OKC from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, June 15th, 2013. Looking for something fun to do with your dad? That's perfect, because this event is Father's Day weekend.

Admission to this fun event is FREE to the public, while artists can register to participate in the competition for just $20 or for $30 to create artwork as a family. To register for the event, click here !

Or, you can sign up to simply volunteer for part of the day. There is a volunteer opportunity for everyone! See all our volunteer opportunities here !

Whether you come to simply enjoy the day, to participate in the art competition, or as a volunteer, we can't wait to see you there! So come on out and join us for "Chalk the Walk," and spend the day with your dad or just with family and friends!

All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Family Builders, further benefiting our mission of strengthening families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect, and other family violence.
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Words of Encouragment...

I was reminded this morning by a close friend just how discouraging parenting can be for those who have children with special needs. Parenting can be hard enough, but parenting a child or multiple children who suffer from any number of disabilities, I can only imagine, is not only frustrating but heartbreaking at times. This friend of mine has four children, her oldest son with autism, and two of her three young girls that have learning/physical disabilities. Her life is filled with the ups and downs, joys and sorrows, of not just struggling with parenting four children, but managing their disabilities as well.

So today, this blog is dedicated to offering words of encouragement - not just to parents of children with disabilities, but especially to parents of children with disabilities. However, I am certain that any and every parent can gain some appreciation and encouragement from this post as well.

As I am not a parent of a child with any type of special needs, it is difficult for me to give any advice or encouragement on this issue. Therefore, I will defer to some of the experts in the field and provide you with links and advice from people and parents who manage childhood disabilities every day.

First, I would like to provide you with 10 different links to parenting blogs, specifically designed and written for and by parents with special needs children. In these blogs, mothers and fathers lament, share, and brag about their children, despite their struggles. My hope is that each of you will find encouragement from these other parents and maybe be inspired to start your own, or contribute to a current blog on this topic:
http://www.hopefulparents.org/
http://specialneeds.5minutesformom.com/
http://supportforspecialneeds.com/
http://mamatude.blogspot.com/
http://momnos.blogspot.com/
http://www.lovethatmax.com/
http://www.shutupabout.com/blog/
http://www.schuylersmonsterblog.com/
http://www.winterramblings.blogspot.com/
http://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/

What these blogs offer, is probably the most encouraging item: You are not alone! You are not the only parent who has one or more children with disabilities or special needs. You do not need to parent alone in this journey either. Your child is a blessing, but that doesn't mean that you will not struggle or feel discouraged at times. Take heart that there are other parents like you out there and find a support system or group that you are able to bounce parenting ideas, tips, and stories off of. This small thing can make a huge difference in helping you to parent your special needs child/ren in a way that both of you will thrive. Here is a great article from the "National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities."
http://www.familyvoices.org/admin/work_caring/files/nd20.pdf

I hope you will find encouragement in this article that will help you to feel as if you can conquer all things and help to encourage your child in their development. "Focus on the Family" also has a wonderful series for parents of children with special needs that recognizes that each child has been "fearfully and wonderfully made," each with individual skills and talents. It also offers mechanisms and tactics for coping with this special parenting challenge, gaining encouragement when you feel isolated as a parent with a disabled child, dealing with the needs of that child's siblings, and much more. Find the short series here: Focus on the Family

Lastly, here is a great tip sheet from www.helpstartshere.org that offers parents suggestions and facts for dealing with this particular parenting challenge. The tip sheet specifically targets understanding and addressing the emotional dynamics of parenting special needs children.

I hope that within these links you will find some encouragement, whether you have a child with special or not. Finding support among other parents is key and it is so important to remember that you are not alone in your parenting struggles, battles, and successes!

Enjoy the week and enjoy your kids!
www.familybuildersok.org