“I am perfect as I am. Today it is okay for me to feel sad, angry or frustrated. Tears are only water and flowers cannot grow without water.”
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A favourite SunChild affirmation
Our Little SunMen.
I have always cared deeply about the emotional wellbeing of our boys. When I was younger, I helped my Dad raise my two little brothers. They can be determined yet soft, with classic one-liners, endless energy and sensitive souls.
Because of this, we were so conscious of designing SunChild in a gender-neutral way – we wanted all little ones to feel connected to the card decks. So many mindfulness products have a very ‘girly’ feel. It was incredibly important that our cards would resonate with kids, no matter their gender.
All childrens’ emotions are valid. But it is definitely more common to narrow our view with the men in our lives. They’re often expected to be strong, firm, certain – not soft, open or vulnerable. Research shows that when boys grow to men, they are three times more likely to take their own life and far less likely to seek mental help than their female counterparts.
It’s time to rewrite this story – giving our boys the permission to embrace their own unique masculinity where all feelings are valid.
This awareness and appreciation of the full spectrum of human emotion starts in the home, with us expanding our child’s ideas of what it means to be a ‘boy’ in todays’ world. When kids feel safe to express their emotions, they can move through the feeling much faster, rather than bottling and storing the emotions, which can contribute to greater anger at a later date. As guardians, we can hold space for our men to express their tears and sadness – to know these emotions are valid, accepted and not shameful. I hope we can start to normalise and celebrate their softer traits, whether more creative, more sensitive or more caring of others and the environment.
There is no greater joy than seeing little SunMen connect to our deck. With each affirmation, they’re given permission to be whoever they want to be, feeling all the feelings – not just the one’s society allows them to feel.
SunChild aims to help boys and girls feel free to be who they are – not restricted by gender – to encourage all their emotions and be open to shine as they are.
Keep Your Light Shining,
Charlotte ✨
