Families came together online during the October Family Network conversation to connect, share stories, and reflect on what keeps them motivated when progress feels slow.
Here’s a recap of the conversation …
The gathering began with a land acknowledgment followed by a poem titled “To Be of Use” by Marge Piercy. Families discussed the poem’s themes of hard work and dedication, which related to the idea of contributing to one’s community and family.
Families then spent time in small groups. The discussion focused either on what was top of mind for them or on specific themes from past conversations. These themes included:
How your network manifests is up to you.
Capturing, preserving, and leveraging your family’s stories and memories is a future planning tool.
We have strong threads of connection and are struck by our commonalities.
Once back together, families shared what arose during their small group conversations. The group listened to a story of creating a good home that led to a family member finding deeper connection, community, belonging, independence, and confidence. All of the families present agreed on the importance of forming mutually beneficial relationships with the people in their family member’s life, emphasizing the value of being open to various opportunities and connections, even if they seem unrelated.
There were smiles and nods of agreement when one person expressed appreciation for the supportive environment during the Family Network conversations.
Before the evening ended, families took time to reflect on what motivates them when progress is slow. We heard several essential themes, including:
Patience, celebrating small victories, and trusting in a family member’s unique learning styles.
The value in slowing down and finding gratitude in the present moment.
Believing in a family member’s potential, and cherishing the love felt between family members.
The evening closed with families sharing a mutual deep gratitude for the conversations, stories, and supportive community being built.
You’re invited to connect with fellow families during next month’s online Family Network conversation on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
For further conversation details please connect with Claire Inkster, Family Network Coordinator, at hello@plan.ca