Smile Squad Safe Space

05/08/2025

Credit to 'Alicia Journey with IIH'
💔 Read that again. Slowly.
Chronic illness is not a “vacation.” It’s not free time or laziness.
It’s watching the life you used to live slip through your fingers… and not being able to stop it.

It’s wanting to work. Wanting to contribute. Wanting to show up.
But your body says “no” no matter how much your mind begs “yes.”

It’s crying in silence because you miss being who you were before the pain, the medications, the fatigue, the flare-ups, the surgeries… before this became your everyday reality.

Don’t assume people with chronic illness are “lucky” to be home.
Many of us are home, in pain, in grief, and in a constant fight to hold on to ourselves.

If you’re living this truth—I see you. I am you.
💚 You’re not lazy.
💙 You’re not weak.
🫂 You’re just surviving a battle most people will never understand.
’tWork

💔 Read that again. Slowly.
Chronic illness is not a “vacation.” It’s not free time or laziness.
It’s watching the life you used to live slip through your fingers… and not being able to stop it.

It’s wanting to work. Wanting to contribute. Wanting to show up.
But your body says “no” no matter how much your mind begs “yes.”

It’s crying in silence because you miss being who you were before the pain, the medications, the fatigue, the flare-ups, the surgeries… before this became your everyday reality.

Don’t assume people with chronic illness are “lucky” to be home.
Many of us are home, in pain, in grief, and in a constant fight to hold on to ourselves.

If you’re living this truth—I see you. I am you.
💚 You’re not lazy.
💙 You’re not weak.
🫂 You’re just surviving a battle most people will never understand.
’tWork

05/08/2025

Credit to 💜 Not anymore am I the angry daughter, although it took time to work out the reasons why. (Obviously childhood sexual abuse, but for me that was the ‘norm’ so I had to unlearn all that and grieve). It’s definitely not normal to be abused but that’s all I knew.
The anger came from my lost childhood, growing up too fast with too much responsibilities. Dealing with things only adults should deal with (if they choose to). The injustice of not being heard and when eventually I was heard, the cops didn’t believe me!
Anger came from the lost and sad soul I once was. I turned that sadness into rage and survived on adrenaline for a long time which (I thought) helped me get through, along with dissociation and developing parts of me to take over to cope!
Good old trauma response. With my nervous system always heightened.

I now enjoy my adulthood alongside my childhood and make up for the lost years. Art & crafts, binge watching tv, long walks etc. 💜

05/08/2025

For my very dear friend (name left out for privacy) who is feeling alone today. Just know I love ya, and I'll never give up on you 🙌 YOU ARE WORTHY. So much more than you're being shown. Always here for my friends that I love like family ❤️🙏❤️ I hope these quotes give you some comfort today and that you understand your worth, and that I'm thinking of you. If something feels wrong in your gut, always listen. You can trust your gut, every time ❤️❤️❤️ plus, wise words for anyone in any relationship, not just romantic 🙏

Love always, Melli ❤️❤️❤️

~Mel - Smile Squad Safe Space~ 🌼🌻🌼

16/07/2025

Empowering Kids Media - Books & Mental Health/Wellness we love this so much.

~Mel - Smile Squad Safe Space~🌼🌻🌼

💡 Kids need to know they can come to us when they've done something wrong because that builds trust, emotional safety, and resilience. If they fear our reaction, they’ll hide mistakes, bottle up emotions, or seek guidance elsewhere, often from less reliable sources. But when they know we’re safe, even in the tough moments, they learn:

1. Accountability without shame - They can own up to missteps without fearing punishment or rejection. That’s how they develop integrity.

2. Mistakes are part of learning - Kids internalize that messing up is normal…not something to fear, but something to learn from.

3. Open communication is safe - If we’re approachable when they’re at their worst, they’ll trust us when life gets really hard.

4. They’re unconditionally loved - Our reaction teaches them that love isn’t based on performance…it’s based on who they are.

🌟 Fear may lead to short-term obedience, but connection leads to lifelong trust. A child who is afraid to come to you learns to hide, lie, or shut down. But a child who isn’t afraid to come to you after making a mistake learns they’re safe, loved, and accepted, no matter what. 💯

The Therapist Parent

08/07/2025

Let's play a game!!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Let me know what your first thought is when you see this post via a picture ONLY. Please also add your country, if you want to, of course. Funny answers are very welcome‼️

I'll start in comments...

~Mel-Smile Squad Safe Space~ 🌼🌻🌼

26/06/2025

📚📖📚 Do you want to find a way to help your community whilst bonding with your children and teaching them a valuable lesson around the importance of helping others?
Sign up today to help raise awareness for MS - Multiple Sclerosis. Reading is knowledge. Knowledge is a power.

Children are taking the lead here and we're super proud of every single one of you❗

Hit the "sign up" button to get your package delivered to your home. 🏡 🏠🏘️

~Mel - Smile Squad Safe Space~ 🌼🌻🌼

MS Readathon 2025

25/06/2025

🤔 Are you having difficulty contacting us❓

Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with pages/groups.

This link will get you in contact with us immediately. Simply click on "send message" and remember to include your location. Your postal code/zip code is enough for us to provide a list of resources in your local areas.

YES! 💥🎆💥YES! From across the world 🌎 🌍 too, hence the reason for a "guesstimate" of your location.

❓What do our lists cover❓

✔️🆓 Everything regarding crisis, help to support people physically, mentally or financially ... In your local area/s.
✔️🆓 Simply include a brief description of your situation and how we can be of assistance.
✔️🆓 Don't forget to add your location at the end so we can find your appropriate list.

✔️🆓 You can also contact us via email 📧 at: smilesquad@myyahoo.com ...
Or, you can try the "contact now" button if it appears on your page. Not all pages are seeing everything currently; however, we're working on fixing this ASAP.

If all else fails, please feel free to send your questions, etc to Melanie Norman, and I will do my best to help you out as soon as we can.

Please keep in mind:
✔️🆓 We are located in Australia. If you're reaching out from another country, there may be a delay in responding whilst we are in rest mode.
✔️🆓You can contact us any time of the day or night.
✔️🆓 If we currently don't have a list for your area, we can make you an individual plan. We will work with you to locate these options. Saving that list for others moving forward.
✔️🆓 If you have a request not listed, simply let us know, and we'll do our best to provide services in your area.
✔️🆓 Don't be afraid to reach out. It's a completely free service here at Smile Squad (SSSS).
✔️🆓 We're here to help everyone we can in all communities.

💥🎆💥 This is a temporary option until we can upload all the lists on the sibling group. 💥🎆💥

And, don't forget ... This post will remain pinned 📌 to the top of all pages and groups. If you're looking for something in particular, we suggest starting with this pinned 📌 post and the previously pinned 📌ones.
This is where you can find things such as our mission statement around what we are about. Our disclaimer to keep your privacy. Sibling groups, privacy statements, etc.

Together, we can make a difference. There is no such thing as "too much help", especially in these stressful times.

Please share with your friends, family, your own groups, or anywhere you feel appropriate.
We'd love to know when you share or interact so that we can thank you. And, we love to support you in return.

✔️One goal. ✔️Many people. ✔️Magic can happen🪄🔮🧝🧝‍♀️🧝‍♂️🧙🧙‍♀️🧙‍♂️❗

Have a good day/night.

~Mel - Smile Squad Safe Space~ 🌼🌻🌼

20/06/2025

🤔 Do you guys know yet? 🤔

💡Tip: simply share this post by clicking "share"💡

✔️ This is my own legacy
A mental health (and more) support group
✔️ Financial aid and counselling, housing, bills, Centrelink information, help for children and parents, lots to share/learn and so much more

✔️ It has been created for my university assignments and papers
✔️ It's a work in progress and fairly fresh
✔️ Join us while we grow into something even more amazing
✔️ We'll play fun games and have prize give aways

✔️ But, most importantly, we can support you through your toughest moments

✔️ Please come over for a look and if you feel you would like to, we encourage you to share the page with your friends and family. Please hit the 👍 like button and follow us so you don't miss out on any announcements

✔️ If you're in a situation, please reach out as one of our customised lists might just save you for today

✔️ Remember: you are never alone

🫶🌼🌞🌼🫶

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Aods19YpV/

Find and share inspiring and relatable quotes. Big things are coming! Keep checking back ��

19/06/2025

Did you know you can message us any time of the day or night?

Feel free to contact us directly 🌼🌞🌼

~Smile Squad Safe Space~ 🌼🌞🌼

19/06/2025

And, then there are just days like these ... hehe ... And, that's ok too ☑️🌼🌞🌼☑️

✔️ You're not alone
✔️ Reach out if you need help
✔️ We're here to help

Smile Squad Safe Space 🌼🌞🌼