Litter & Snack Lids Happen! Here’s How We Help Pick Up The Pieces

So, let’s kick things off with a story, because every great article needs a head-scratching, “Did that just happen?” moment. Picture this: my colleague, casually enjoying a morning stroll to work, spots a young lad and his mum leaving the shop. Nothing unusual, right? Until the child opens up his breakfast snack of choice, drops the lid straight on the floor like it’s an Olympic sport, and carries on. Now, my colleague, ever the upstanding citizen, kindly picks up the lid and says in gentle way, “I think you accidentally dropped this.” What follows? A tirade of abuse from the mum. Apparently, we’re in a 2024 where littering is fine now, and kindly pointing it out is not. Who knew?

Here’s the thing: parents leave a lasting mark on their children, and not just in these oddly public displays of litter chaos. Whether we like it or not, the way parents raise their children influences how these boys and girls, navigate the world as young adults – and how they’ll handle situations like, I don’t know, ‘dropping lids’ in public spaces. Parenting is this delicate balancing act, and the effects ripple through their kids’ emotional well-being, independence, relationships, and even their approach to life’s challenges. Let’s break it down, shall we?

 

Emotional Well-being and Self-Esteem: Put the Phone Down, Mum!

Here’s a fun fact: your kids are watching you all the time. Not in a creepy, “peek around the corner” way, but more in a “how does mum handle stress” or “does dad think I’m doing alright?” sort of way. If you’re the kind of parent who’s always present, showing up for the school plays (even if it’s 43 minutes of children awkwardly singing off-key), you’re building up your child’s emotional resilience. They feel valued, supported, and – dare we say – loved.

Now, let’s flip the coin. If you’re too busy scrolling through Instagram while your kid is practically defying gravity doing a double back summersault with a half pike on the monkey bars, that can send a different message: “I’m not that important.” Overly critical, neglectful, or emotionally distant parenting can turn into a cocktail of low self-esteem, adult insecurities, and that lovely trio of anxiety, depression, and relational chaos. So, maybe we should put the phone down once in a while? Your future emotionally stable adult will thank you

 

Independence and Decision-Making: You’ve Got to Let Them Fail Sometimes

Remember when you were 16 and wanted to make all your own decisions? Your parents probably stepped in with a mix of “sure, go for it” and “yeah, no way.” That balance is key. I genuinely had to remember that with my own lad, who’s now 21, 5 inches taller than me, built like a rugby player (and I swear he’s the milkman’s!). When parents find that sweet spot between letting their children make choices and providing just enough structure, they’re actually giving their young adults the tools to survive the big, bad world. These kids grow up knowing how to problem-solve and take responsibility – whether that’s paying rent or deciding whether to buy organic vegetables or stick with the trusty frozen pizza.

But, what about those parents who hover? The infamous “helicopter parents.” These kids might grow into young adults who panic at the thought of making their own decisions. It’s not that they don’t want independence; they’ve just never had the chance to practice it. You know, the kind of young adult who’ll call mum to ask if it’s okay to buy non-dairy milk. Overprotection might feel safe, but it’s a recipe for decision-making disasters later on.

 

Relationships: It’s Not All About the Love Songs

Here’s a juicy bit: the way you handle relationships as a parent sets the bar for how your child will manage their own relationships – romantic, professional, and otherwise. If you’re rocking the healthy communication, conflict resolution, and mutual respect in your home, chances are your kid will go into adulthood with a pretty solid idea of how to build meaningful relationships.

On the other hand, if your household looks more like a battleground where no one talks but everyone glares – yeah, that doesn’t go unnoticed. Those dysfunctions carry over, and suddenly your adult child is struggling with trust issues or can’t quite figure out why all their relationships feel a bit rocky. So, if you can, try not to let family dinners turn into passive-aggressive silence fests.

 

Academic and Career Success: Aim High, but Not Too High

Parental expectations are a double-edged sword. On the one side, if you’re involved in your child’s academic life, cheering them on and showing genuine interest in what they care about, they’re more likely to thrive. They’ll grow up ambitious, motivated, and ready to take on their careers with enthusiasm.

But here’s where it gets tricky: push too hard, and suddenly you’ve got a young adult who’s burnt out before they’ve even graduated. Maybe they’re chasing a career they don’t actually want, or they’re perpetually stressed trying to meet impossible standards. It’s a delicate line to walk, but finding the balance between encouraging ambition and respecting their unique interests is key. Otherwise, they’ll end up having that mid-life crisis at 24!

(I mean, I write this and read that nearly a quarter of students who received the result of ‘DDD’ for their A-Levels were awarded a first in their degree’s for the 2022-2023 year. LINK HERE to article. So like everything in this article, we’re all learning, every single day.)

 

Coping Mechanisms and Resilience: The Ultimate Life Skills

Life isn’t always rainbows and unicorns; it throws curveballs. So how parents react to stress is a massive lesson for their kids. If you’re a cool cucumber under pressure, your kids will probably pick up on that and learn to approach life’s challenges with a bit more grace. Maybe they won’t cry over spilled milk – or dropped lids.

But if your coping mechanisms are more “throw things and yell,” your children might inherit those lovely traits too. And suddenly, when they hit adult stress – whether it’s job rejection or a breakup – they might not have the healthiest toolbox to navigate it. It is something that happened to me, but I did become aware enough to not only change my own toolbox for coping, I took the step of talking to my boy about the mistakes that I had made so he could make better choices and understand their consequences. Teaching our children how to manage emotions, seek support, and be okay with failure? That’s parenting gold.

 

Parenting’s Legacy – No Pressure, Right?

Parenting is hard—no doubt about it. It’s not about getting everything perfect (because honestly, who has time for that?), but about recognizing that your choices, behaviours, and even your slip-ups along the way, shape the young people your children grow into. You’re building the framework for how they see the world, how they handle stress, make decisions, and form relationships.

This is where the YMCA steps in to support families and young people. Through its youth programs, mentorship opportunities, and community support, the YMCA provides that extra layer of guidance and care that complements the work parents are already doing. Whether it’s helping young people build self-esteem through sports, giving them a safe space to make decisions in leadership roles, or offering emotional support through counselling and wellbeing programs, the YMCA acts as a bridge for those moments when parenting has broken down or feels overwhelming.

While we may not have all the answers, the YMCA believes in the power of love, support, and autonomy to help young adults grow into confident, resilient individuals. After all, it’s not about sprinting to get it perfect – it’s about walking alongside families and young people, step by step, in their journey. There may not be medals for perfect parenting, but the YMCA makes sure there’s plenty of support, encouragement, and maybe a few extra lids for their snacks along the way.

It’s a marathon, not a sprint—but don’t worry, no one’s handing out medals for perfect parenting or the perfect, role model of a young adult. Just lids for their snacks.

World Mental Health Day: A Day of Reflection and Action for YMCA

October 10th marks ‘World Mental Health Day’, a day dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging open conversations about mental health. This year, the theme is more important than ever as mental health challenges continue to affect individuals and communities globally. At the YMCA, this day holds special significance or us, not only for the residents we support but also for the staff and colleagues who work tirelessly to create a nurturing and compassionate environment.

Why Mental Health Matters

Mental health is not just the absence of mental illness; it is the foundation of our well-being, influencing how we think, feel, and act. It affects our relationships, how we handle stress, and our ability to make decisions. Yet, despite its importance, mental health is often neglected or stigmatised. ‘World Mental Health Day’ reminds us that mental health is everyone’s concern, and it is vital to our overall health and happiness.

 

For YMCA Residents and Young People

For many residents at the YMCA Leiestershire, the journey toward better mental health is part of their personal growth and healing. Our YMCA is more than just a place to live; it is a safe space where individuals can access support, build resilience, and form meaningful connections. On ‘World Mental Health Day’, residents are encouraged to take time for self-care, reflect on their mental wellness, and engage in the programs and resources we offer.

 

Workshops, peer support groups, and mindfulness activities are just some of the ways we help residents manage their mental health. This day serves as a reminder that their struggles are seen, their voices are heard, and help is available. It’s a day to remind them they are not alone on their journey.

 

For our YMCA Staff and Colleagues

At YMCA Leiestershire, we recognise that mental health doesn’t just affect the people we serve  – it also impacts those who provide care and support. Working in such a people – centered organisation can be emotionally demanding, and it’s essential that our staff and colleagues prioritise their own mental health, too.

 

On this day, we encourage our team to pause and check in with themselves. How are they really feeling? Have they taken time to care for their own mental well-being? This is an opportunity for our staff to connect with one another, share their experiences, and support each other in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The YMCA values a culture of care, and on ‘World Mental Health Day’, we highlight the importance of staff well-being as a core part of our mission.

 

Moving Forward Together

World Mental Health Day is more than just a day of awareness – it’s a call to action. For the YMCA community, this means continuing to break down the stigma around mental health, ensuring that both residents and staff feel supported, and creating spaces where people can seek help without fear of judgment.

As we commemorate this day, let’s remember that mental health is a journey, not a destination. Whether you are a resident, a staff member, or part of the larger YMCA family, your mental health matters, and together, we can create a future where mental well-being is prioritized for everyone.

 

Let’s make today a step forward in that journey.