This week we highlight Dani, a lifer, and her two boys. Avian, her 6 year old, graduated from kindergarten this past spring and earned a certificate for being a team player. Malachi will be going into 4th grade this upcoming fall and earned a spot on the A/B honor roll this past year. Since Dani has moved her way into long-term recovery, she has seen the difference in her boys’ work ethic. This has been a result of her consistency with them, openness to hearing their thoughts, and opportunity to discipline them in love. For a long time, Dani let her boys do everything they wanted out of guilt. Now, however, she has found a good balance. Despite juggling two jobs, she and her partner take Avian and Malachi out on weekends, have movie nights, and tuck them in an hour later for the summer. Through it all, the boys have shown unconditional love towards her. “They have brought out my best and taught me to never give up.”
REAL LIFE has also played a large role in Dani’s family life. Ms. DeShawna’s motherhood class was revolutionary in understanding what the next steps were with her kids. Complementing this, the module book has served to bring up and address childhood traumas that have informed Dani’s style of motherhood. Finally, REAL LIFE has allowed her to set goals and actualize them. Currently, Dani aims to move into a home from her apartment, graduate from college with her psychology degree, and continue to be present with her boys.
Thank you Dani for your inspiring story of care and commitment to family!
