The secret to change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. -Socrates
Car seats. Car seats for kids got me thinking about change. I’ve been parenting long enough to see a variety of car seats and car seat rules evolve. Just when you think you have it all figured out, your pediatrician tells you your 18 month old should be rear facing until age 2. Ugh!
Staying current on the latest and best practices for safety is important, but even the best of us can find ourselves getting behind. Caseworkers are no exception. Have you ever had a caseworker who seemed to be perplexed by a car seat? I have.
While many caseworkers have received training on car seat safety, extra help from foster parents can go a long way.
Most caseworkers are thankful for an experienced parent to double check the car seat fit for transporting kiddos. After all, YOU ARE THE EXPERT PARENT. You’ve got the foster parent certificate to prove it!
So gently use you expertise to create positive change- like coaching a caseworker on how to properly install a car seat.
It’s easy to focus on fighting the system. We can get angry when our kids aren’t safe and start taking arms quickly. I’ll admit, it’s hard to believe professionals are transporting kids in substandard car seats. And it’s a bit infuriating as well. But I’ll also be the first to admit, a few minutes of simple instruction from a foster parent could save our government agencies a lot of time and energy.
Don’t ever forget. You are immensely valuable. Your knowledge and gentle guidance can create change that would a government bureaucracy decades to achieve. Leverage your skill set for good. You don’t have to wait for change to come from the top. You can build something great from the bottom up. Your influence for good has potential to change more than just the kids you care for.
- What has been a source of frustration?
- Can I re-frame my problem as a possibility?
- What complaints can be changed to opportunities to make a difference?
Danielle Ann Verwers 