Sometimes fun is the best therapy.

by Krista Forni

At START, most of our time is spent visiting moms and their children at home to provide ongoing substance use and mental health treatment. But we haven’t forgotten the important role fun can play in their therapy. Especially when it comes to helping them create a stronger family bond and improve their overall well-being.

And what better place for that to happen than the Land of Make Believe? So, in June, our START program loaded six moms and their little ones on a bus with our Bridgewater staff and off we went. ?

Just like those “day trips” many of us remember from our childhood, we ate breakfast as we drove. Slathered on some sunscreen, and did our best to try to control the number of times someone asked, “Are we there yet?” A question that was asked just as much by the mothers as the kids.

To make sure everyone was prepared for this “daycation”, we also provided each mom with a goodie bag packed with diapers, snacks, drinks, sunscreen and hand sanitizer. And purchased bathing suits for those who needed them.?

At 11am the adventure began. We’re not sure who was running faster — the moms or the kids. But off they all ran to enjoy the rides, games and other activities that make the Land of Make Believe such a wonderful destination for little ones.

While the families explored, we coordinated ordering lunch, which was much needed for the appetites worked up while racing from ride to ride. Then it was off to the waterpark for the rest of the afternoon.

As we were getting on the bus to return home, one mom said to me,

“This trip meant a lot to me and my kids.” She went on to explain, “It just isn’t something that I’d normally be able to do”. Another mom then chimed in, “My son is enjoying it so much, I plan on coming back before the summer is over.”

Everyone had a great time. Which led to a quiet ride home for the staff as the little ones (and many of the moms) spent the entire ride back to Bridgewater fast asleep.

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The Center for Great Expectations provides a safe place, safe presence and a safe path for pregnant and parenting women and their children, and men, seeking treatment for substance use and mental health disorders.

Learn more: https://www.cge-nj.org/