The end of journey as seen by the educators of the "With the families" project

In recent months, the journey with the socio-educational project With the families has ended for some families. Among the people we met is Marianna, whom we introduced to you through her words.

When you meet a family and travel on the road together, saying goodbye is difficult and necessary. And it it’s even more so having worked so well together. Annachiara and Cecilia, the educators who are in close contact with these families, told us about it.

"A journey together is made up of many moments. Before setting out, we prepare ourselves by studying the itinerary and organizing our baggage in the best possible way through training, team meetings, and the periodic supervision we conduct with Dr. Luca Migliaccio of the Brazelton Center, always leaving room for surprises and unexpected events. 

The departure is always very exciting, everything is new, time is on our side and the relationship with travel companions intensifies step by step, both when walking on the plains and on steep and rugged trails. During the journey we tend to lose track of time. We are catapulted into a situation other than everyday life, but the moment always comes when we realize that we have almost reached the goal.

And as educators we know that the time of farewells is just as important as the time of departure. We need to take care of it, to ensure that each one follows his or her own path with renewed confidence. Sometimes it is essential to stop and look at the road taken together, at other times it may be useful to slow down the pace to give everyone time to find their own rhythm; and at other times it is as if recalled by the charm of the goal, where we always intended to arrive, all with the sole objective of giving value to what was shared so that it becomes a new starting point for everyone, for families and for the team. 

This year, we educators have tried to enhance our relationship with parents, recognizing them in their needs and their strengths. During the journey we welcomed the joy, anger, fear or insecurity of the mothers and we supported them in difficult moments, always with the awareness that parenting is a process that is built over time and is made up of trial and error.

This year we had the opportunity to see children born and raised. Someone was still inside the belly when we met and on the day of our last meeting they walked briskly without even asking for a hand. This is the moment when we go, because we have come a long way together, first rolling, then crawling and finally holding on to everything in sight. And then, each with their own baggage, you have reached the end of this path.

The word end in the most common sense means "the ultimate point or the definitive limitation", but it also means "purpose, goal, result to aim for". We like to think that saying goodbye is not a final act, but a letting go, a gesture of trust for the work done and for the awareness acquired. Our steps are the same that allowed the children we met when they were still inside the belly, to detach themselves from their mother’s hand and to walk alone.

Thanks to all the families who have traveled a little way with us. We hope we have been good travel companions, for our part the baggage is now richer and we feel ready to leave for new adventures”.

The “With the families” project was created to ensure that many children get the best possible start. Some families have left, others are still walking with us, others will start in the coming months, thanks to your support: please donate today.