By Thomas Hobson
Child Life Director

March 31st has finally arrived, which can only mean one thing, it's the end of Child Life Month.  When I started going through all of the photos that are above this, it stuck me what a month it has been.  Our goal for Child Life Month was to use it as an opportunity for education, advocacy, awareness, and celebration.

It would be easy to imagine a month in which we celebrated ourselves, but we at Le Bonheur Children's Child Life Services saw it different.  Instead of relaxing and celebrating, our staff worked even harder to make all of this happen.  What is more amazing is that it is the wonderful individuals that make up this department that took the ideas and turned them into reality.

We have seen families be able to rest and relax, whether it was a relaxation/pampering experience or just being able to talk to another adult at the parent breakfast.  There was lots of fun, just look at the pictures from Game-a-palooza or the Pep Rally.  It doesn't take a great stretch to see the impact that it made.

However, what you don't see if the tireless efforts of the everyday work the child life staff does.  We understand the opportunity we have to make on the experience of a patient and family while they are at Le Bonheur Children's.  There is a clear mission and purpose we have been tasked, and the child life specialist, child life assistants, and school teachers go above and beyond to meet it. 

It is because of this dedication that we are able to provide the excellent care and service we do.  And it is that reason that I am thankful for every single member of this team.  Le Bonheur Children's Child Life Services would not be the same without them.

We are far from the only child life program in the nation (or world).  So, I would encourage you to let any person you know in the field of Child Life know that you appreciate the work they do.  Remember that even though they are supporting lots of people, it's always nice for them to feel supported too.