Tara has two children and lives in Euclid.

What do you do to relax?

Get a massage and/or take a bath

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I work full time, attend college full time, and I have two amazing daughters. I recently became a homeowner so I'm adjusting to this new lifestyle. Both of my daughters' needs are very different. My oldest has mental health issues and my youngest is behind educationally. So I'm trying to find a work/life balance and still be able to provide them with the services they need.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

Connecting for kids has brought my family and I hope. It's very refreshing being able to speak with families who are going through the same thing or something similar. I like that I'm able to set up a virtual appointment to speak with someone from Connecting with Kids one-on-one and she can tell me when we last spoke, what our goals were then, what we've accomplished and where we are now. After our phone conversation, I was provided with scholarship and tuition information for summer camps, counseling services that will accept my insurance, grants that I can apply for, and contact information on different therapy's such as art therapy, yoga therapy, and drama therapy for the whole family.

When my child's behavior gets out of control, I feel...

Frustrated in the moment but I know that the feeling is only temporary. My kids and I have a great support system full of amazing family and friends. I love attending the Connecting for Kids programs and support groups that are offered because I love learning new things each and every day. When I was younger, I didn't know what was wrong with me, because we didn't talk about mental health growing up. Now that I'm older, I know that a lot has to do with genetics and DNA. Knowing my family history, I have to be cautious of what goes in our bodies. What we eat and drink can have a huge impact on our everyday life and can determine our mood also. That's why it's important for my family and I to practice self care, healthier eating, and exercising. Each one of us are different and unique in our own way, and once you know yourself that's half the battle.

Believing in myself, knowing that I am strong, I am smart, and I am brave. Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs so I have to be able to trust and believe in myself. I had to remove myself from all negative people, that bring negative energy because it's not healthy for us. Lastly, I have to know that what I'm doing is in the best interest for my kids, myself, my family, and my community.