Parents of children with disabilities may think, “Somehow, my child seems different from other children,” but find that they have no one they can easily talk to, or end up bearing too much of their child’s disability on their own.
At times like these, having people who understand can be a great source of emotional support.
I was born with a hearing disability myself, and I once heard my mother say, “Having someone more experienced I could talk to and time for hobbies helped me keep going as a parent.”
Now that I’m an adult, I wanted to learn more about the activities parents of children with disabilities are involved in, so I visited a parenting consultation session run by Parent Support Step, a certified NPO.
The information shown was accurate when this article was published in January 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
In-depth consultations and casual workshop experiences
The Christmas craft workshop and parenting consultation were held at MITSUI OUTLET PARK Kurashiki on December 18, 2023. The event was organized by Parent Support Step, a certified NPO whose core members are parents of children with disabilities.
When I entered the cafeteria, with its large, airy windows, I saw an array of charming Christmas decorations.
The venue was divided into two main areas: the Christmas craft workshop was held in the space at the front, and parenting consultations took place in the area at the back.
The instructor for the Christmas craft workshop, which used craft band, was a staff member who is also the mother of a child with a disability.
Those looking for time to immerse themselves in the activity could start by weaving the craft band, while those who wanted to join casually, perhaps while attending a developmental consultation, could make an original piece simply by attaching the parts with glue.
The staff member in charge of parenting consultations is also the mother of a child with a disability.
Craft band workshop
At the reception, someone asked, “Would you like to try working with craft band first?” so I tried weaving a Christmas wreath.
It seemed difficult at first, but after weaving a few pieces, I got the hang of it.
I have a hearing disability and wear hearing aids. Because of this, I can be distracted by the sounds around me, and I’m not very good at concentrating on tasks outdoors. But working with craft band involves repeating the same steps, so I was able to focus entirely on weaving.
Participants’ voices
As I wove my Christmas wreath, more and more participants arrived.
A place to find hobbies as “a woman in her own right,” not “a parent of a child with a disability”
The participant who arrived after me was making a basket. She apparently has a child who attends a special needs school.
She said that she had been waiting at home for the results of her child’s high school entrance exam and was feeling restless. She had also been looking for a hobby she could enjoy as “a woman in her own right,” rather than as “a parent of a child with a disability,” and found this event.
“It’s so comfortable here. I can look for a hobby while sharing the concerns unique to raising a child with a disability with staff and participants in similar circumstances,” she said.
A place to seek advice with your child
Another participant had brought her kindergartener, and they were making a basket together.
Because this is an event parents and children can enjoy together, and there are staff with extensive parenting experience, you can seek advice while taking part in the workshop with your child.
It was striking to see both leave the venue smiling: the child with a sense of accomplishment at finishing their creation, and the parent with a sense of relief at having someone listen to their concerns.
A place to get ongoing advice
I asked a staff member what they keep in mind when providing support.
They said they value listening carefully to parents first, rather than giving advice, and responding with empathy as one of their peers: “You’re doing a great job.”
Many people apparently come to the parenting consultations specifically to receive ongoing support.
From the Writer
I wonder if my parents, too, raised me with support from others who were raising children with disabilities.
I think it is thanks to places like Parent Support Step that I was able to grow up and become the adult I am today. I am once again filled with gratitude for the people who support parents of children with disabilities.
This time, the workshop was about craft band, but the organization also has staff who are good at working with dried flowers and staff who are skilled at altering clothes to make them easier for children with disabilities to wear, among other specialties. They carry out their activities by making use of each person’s strengths.
This is one of the activities that we hope all members of the community will learn about, whether or not they are directly affected by disability.
Christmas Craft Workshop and Parenting Consultation Information
| Name | Christmas Craft Workshop and Parenting Consultation |
|---|---|
| Date | December 18, 2023 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
| Location | 12-3 Kotobuki-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | Parenting consultation: Free Workshop fees Christmas basket (detailed) ¥1,500 Christmas basket (simple) ¥750 Christmas wreath (original) ¥500 Christmas wreath (simple) ¥350 Small accessory case ¥1,000 |
| Website | Certified NPO Parent Support Step |
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