The reality of our days, fortunately, is that there is diversity in family types. Given this, it is important that, in a context of going back to school, as is happening, children have tools to normalize family models in the school environment and avoid bullying. For this reason, we have asked Diana Guerra, coordinator of the Emotional Support Unit at IVI Barcelona, to talk to us about the importance of this matter and give us some advice to prepare for returning to the classroom in this regard.
Take care of the emotional aspect
In this 2022-2023 school year that has just started, more than 8 million students have attended the classrooms. And, therefore, families have got down to work with everything that this implies: school supplies, uniforms, backpacks… All this is essential, we do not deny it. But we cannot forget the emotional health of the little ones. Although classes are one of their main places of social development, it is also important that they have the tools to do so safely and confidently. The creation of spaces where the child feels integrated and avoid behaviors of bullying Among partners.
“Fortunately, there are more and more family models, such as homoparental families or those formed by single mothers by choice. Whether in a new course or a different school environment, and although we firmly believe that all families are the same, we must consider that children are going to find some differences in this aspect with other classmates, so it is important to provide them with of tools to deal with this situation”explains Diana Guerra.
Growth of the MSPE and homoparental families
As we mentioned a few months ago, among IVI patients we find a true reflection of current family models. Single mothers by choice have increased by 38% in the last year. For their part, families with two mothers have increased by 9%.
“This is an issue that worries many women when it comes to being mothers: how their son or daughter will feel in the school environment in the future, for having a family unit that is different from the traditional one. In fact, it is one of the most frequent concerns in our Emotional Support Unit”War comments.
Games to normalize family models
So how can we help children normalize this reality? In a ‘simple’ way, with game dynamics that help incorporate these messages and realities in the little ones. By doing them with them from an early age we can prevent emotional problems in the future, motivated by the lack of understanding of the family situation. With these games, prepared by experts, we want to help you, mothers and fathers, but also your children.
“Through creativity and imagination, with these games we can help normalize new family models so that children gradually build and understand the reality that surrounds them”explains our psychologist.
create families
As the name itself says, in this game -by means of imagination- the boy or girl will have to create a drawing in which the members of the family appear. Also, explain who is who within the family nucleus. With this game, children acquire practice to be able to explain at school what their family is like, if they are asked about it. This same game can be carried out with dolls, building any type of family or explaining to the child a model different from his own, such as divorced families, adopted children or families with father and mother.
Search referents
Both in current and past movies or cartoon series we find references to families. Many of them can help us reflect the different types. For example, in cartoon films from years ago it was more common for families of father and mother to appear, but in current films couples with two mothers appear.
When explaining this type of family, it must be done naturally, based on examples and realities that are close to the child. With this we help them understand that in all types of family you feel the same love as in yours, regardless of the members that form it.
Guide for your family project, whatever it may be
At IVI we want to continue helping to build diverse families. Both on the way to achieving it and ‘after’. For this, it is essential to help normalize all family models and that mothers, fathers and children have the tools to have security and pride in telling what theirs is like.
And if you want to create your own family model, but you still have doubts, we have created a series of family project guides with all the information you need.
