"School non-attendance" is a time for parents and children to step off the harsh race of "normalcy" and cultivate their own happiness. Fami-Lab's 11th-year dream: accompaniment support that keeps mothers from feeling isolated and ensures "a bright future for children."

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 choices, "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 non-attendance was considered a special issue, and it was an era where people didn't know where to turn for help. Compared to then, society's awareness of school non-attendance has advanced, and diverse support services have emerged from national, local government, and private sectors. 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 not attending school. This means that, on average, about two students per class are not attending school, making it an extremely common situation.

While choices increase and information overflows, many mothers are swallowed by the "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, even as society advocates for "diversity."

Why we insist on "caring for mothers" and continue our accompaniment support.

Even as times change, Fami-Lab's consistent core principle since its establishment has been "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, easily falls into the "trap of shifting to individualism and avoiding trouble." Mothers silently wear down their hearts in such "isolation in the name of independence," trying to be perfect without relying on anyone and swallowing their pain to avoid making waves.

Fami-Lab's greatest feature is that we, the operators, are a peer support group of "mothers who have experienced school non-attendance."
Because we are peers who have shared the same experience, we want to be a place where everyone can always return, no matter how many times, and where we can have "gritty conversations" that are not just platitudes. With this in mind, we value a volunteer-run environment that makes it easy for everyone to participate continuously.

Mothers regaining peace of mind and smiles: "Words as a charm" fostered by active listening.

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

We believe that it is important for mothers to show their children their true selves, not as "perfect individuals," but as someone who "puts their weaknesses into words and tries to connect with others."

To achieve this, "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 gain the strongest charm, "their own words," in the security of knowing, "It's okay to say anything to Mom."

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

We are convinced that this "cultivation of emotional soil" will be a lifelong asset for children, even more so than returning to school.

The courage to get off the "normal" train.

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

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

We want to cherish the "quiet time" and "random chats" they desperately tried to protect. We want them to stop and slowly look around. This is an era where being in 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 is the best care for parents and children.

Adapting to the needs of the times, with 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, according to lifestyle. Membership benefits include email consultations for school non-attendance by clinical psychologists/certified public psychologists, and coupon issuance for study groups, etc.

We have established a support system that can be chosen according to the stage of school non-attendance and the mother's mental state, providing a community that prevents isolation.

We will continue to be a companion to mothers and a presence that supports the reconstruction of family bonds, ensuring a "bright future" for children.

We kindly ask for your support!

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