School Refusal is a Time for Parents and Children to Step Off the Grueling Race of "Normalcy" and Cultivate Their Own Happiness. The Dream of Fami-Lab in its 11th Year: Accompaniment Support to Ensure "Children's Futures are Okay" and Prevent Mothers from Feeling Isolated.

We endorse April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day to announce dreams. This press release is the dream of "NPO Family Communication Lab."

Behind the Increasing Options, "Parents' Hearts" Are Left Behind

NPO Family Communication Lab (Location: Tennoji-ku, Osaka City; Representative: Hiromi Tanida; hereinafter "Fami-Lab") will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025 and is currently in its 11th year of operation.

When we started our activities, school refusal was considered a special circumstance, and it was unclear where to seek help. Compared to that era, society's understanding of school refusal has advanced, and diverse support services have emerged from national and local governments, as well as private organizations. However, the latest survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology recorded a record high of 353,970 elementary and junior high school students experiencing school refusal. This means that, on average, about two students per class are experiencing school refusal, making it a very common situation.

While options are increasing and information is overflowing, many mothers are being swallowed by a "wave of information overload." They feel bewildered, thinking, "Not my child," and anxious about which information is right for them. It feels as if mothers' lonely battles are deepening behind society's embrace of "diversity."

The Reason We Insist on "Caring for Mothers" and Continue Accompaniment Support

Regardless of changing times, the consistent core principle Fami-Lab has upheld since its establishment is "mother's care."

No matter how excellent the learning support or free schools are, if a child's own energy is depleted, they can become "useless." The seeds of "self-understanding" and "independence" for a child to take a step forward on their own lie within the closest safe haven: "parent-child relationships and family bonds."

Modern society, while respecting individual independence, tends to fall into the "trap of shifting to individualism and avoiding trouble." Mothers secretly wear down their hearts in this "isolation in the name of independence," trying to be perfect without relying on anyone, and swallowing their pain to avoid making waves.

The biggest feature of Fami-Lab is that we, the operators, are a peer support group of "mothers who have experienced school refusal."
Because we are peers who have shared the same experience, we want to be a place where we can accompany each person at their own pace, a "place where you can always return, no matter how many times." We want to be a place where "gritty conversations" can happen, not just pretty words. With this in mind, we value a volunteer-run environment where everyone can continue to participate easily.

Mothers Regaining Peace of Mind and Smiles: "Words as Charms" Fostered by Active Listening

Accepting children as they are through "active listening" ---

We believe that it is important for mothers to show their children, as they are, "themselves trying to connect with someone by verbalizing their weaknesses," rather than becoming "perfect individuals."

For this purpose, "active listening" is the pillar of our activities.

By mothers learning active listening, they listen to their children's voices and accept them as they are.

This cultivates an important emotional muscle in children: "expressing their feelings in words."

And children, in the security of knowing "it's okay to say anything to Mom," acquire the strongest charm: "their own words."

Mothers regaining peace of mind and smiles. And rebuilding the bond where parents and children can speak their true feelings.

We are convinced that this "cultivation of the heart's soil" is a greater asset to support a child's entire life than returning to school.

The Courage to Get Off the "Normal" Train

Living "normally" in Japan today is surprisingly hard. Dual-income households, single-parent childcare, comparisons on social media, and endless lessons. Both adults and children are constantly being chased by something, wearing down their hearts.

Children who have gotten off the "normal" train in the form of school refusal may be asking us adults a question.

We want to cherish the "quiet time" and "aimless chatter" they tried to protect with their lives. We want them to stop and slowly look around. This is an era where being part of the majority is not the only right answer. Feeling the warmth of the family in front of you, rather than meeting societal expectations. We believe that this is the best care to save parents and children.

Adapting to the Needs of the Times, More Comprehensive Support: Renewal of the Membership System

To support this "mental preparation" in a way that better aligns with modern needs, Fami-Lab has renewed its membership system this spring.

There are three membership courses to choose from, tailored to different lifestyles. Membership benefits include email consultations for school refusal by clinical psychologists and certified public psychologists, and coupon issuance for use in study groups, etc.

We provide a support system that can be chosen according to the stage of school refusal and the mother's mental state, creating a community that prevents isolation.

We will continue to be a companion to mothers and a presence that supports the rebuilding of family bonds, ensuring that children's futures are "okay."

We appreciate your continued support!

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"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce dreams they hope to achieve on April 1st. We are seriously aiming for the realization of this dream.