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Sibshops at the Kindering Center in Bellevue, Washington
Rosanne Feder, a longtime Sibshop facilitator, shares this observation of the kids who attend her Sibshop:
The sibs of Kindering Center’s Sibshops say “Happy 25th Birthday!”
I have been a facilitator for 4 years; each and every experience has been so rewarding, uplifting, insightful, comical, cherishing, and so real. It never ceases to amaze me at how intuitive children are, even at a young age. I have heard words of wisdom, encouragement, happiness, sadness, jealousy, frustration, hopefulness, thankfulness, and anger from the mouths of 6-9 year olds; if only adults could learn how to be this expressive in their communication!
Sibshops offers sibs an opportunity for connectedness with others, an opportunity for growth and real understanding, an opportunity to be kids, celebrate and embrace themselves for who they are within their family.
I have had children walk in grumpy from having to wake up early on a Saturday morning, but within the first 15 minutes is laughing and not wanting to leave. I have had children share their troubles and feel supported by their peers in the group. I have had children discuss what the term “special needs” means and have walked away enlightened by their conversations. I have had children in awe that there was another sib in the group who had a brother/sister like theirs. I have had children who started out as quiet participants in the group and have
blossomed into one of the more verbal participants. I have had children share their dreams and fears for their sibling. It’s been a pleasure watching the journey of siblings in their own personal and emotional growth; their resilience and courage is admirable and what they offer to each other keeps me returning year after year.
Don, thank you for your vision, guidance, inspiration, and dedication to siblings; it’s an honor and pleasure to be a Sibshops facilitator to carry on this ‘legacy’ of supporting sibs.
Sincerely,
Rosanne Feder, MS, CCLS, Kindering Center Sibshops Facilitator
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