What does it mean to have a good life?

For all those parents and carers with kids that just don’t seem to fit the norm I want you to know they can still have a good life.

Society and culture is changing more rapidly than the systems within them - I’m talking education, health, business. Young people are changing - their priorities are different, they are challenging and questioning accepted norms.

Often people who have characteristics that differ to the norm are actually trail blazers in driving cultural change. They make us think harder about fairness, equity and the true meaning of a good life. It doesn’t have to be a professional career or earning above average. It doesn’t have to be getting a whole raft of exams and qualifications. It often means having a sense of belonging, connection with friends and family (including found family), doing something meaningful whatever that may be, feeling able to problem solve and having a sense of self-efficacy (I can do things).

These things don’t require the norm BUT they do require us as parents, carers, professionals to listen to and believe in what our children and young people are saying. To help them see that even if they don’t fit the norm, we can help them find their own path.