"Spring: a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be."~ Unknown Ain't that the truth? Spring may be one of the easiest and most welcome changes in our lives. And every year, it doesn't disappoint us: it always arrives! We love spring for the new buds and the metaphoric new beginnings. Spring is also a time of year that can bring us into balance. Although, balance as a parent can be one of the most elusive things ever. Celebrate new beginnings and bring beautiful & powerful you - and your family - into balance this season by focusing on your basic needs and those HALTS. Balance with Basic Needs: Put the oxygen mask on you first.Parenting today can feel like non-stop running around like a chicken with its head cut off. How to break that cycle of over-scheduled and depleted? Go back to your BASIC NEEDS. Take a glance at the image above, and pick ONE basic need to focus on meeting this week. Will it be eating nutrient dense food, getting out of the house with a friend or mate, or getting support for some of the longer-term stress and challenges you work with everyday? Whatever basic need you'd like to focus on meeting, develop a simple plan of what/when/where/how it will happen, and then pop a calendar reminder into your schedule.
I took my own advice and scheduled in some sauna time for Tuesday at 12 noon (one of my favorite ways to detox and recharge). What about you? What basic need you're going to meet this week and what/when you'll do to meet it. In order to show up for our children everyday, we first have to show up for ourselves. We can do it!
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a tradition in my family is to laugh until literally you are crying with joy it's SO healing to laugh so hard the happy tears roll down your cheeks (and hopefully these days no tears are running down my leg! :) ) laughter + crying two of the most powerful ways to release stress laughter + crying amidst hard times return us all to both our collective shared humanity + individual peace & wisdom within do you ever just feel like you need a good cry? i remember there was a time i could only cry if i watched a sad movie now life routinely brings me to tears i try to have a good periodic sob otherwise all that grief lives within me burning deep eventually my sadness mistaken for anger when all i really need is a good cry parenting teaches us the power of our tears a good cry to release high emotions our children's stress a good cry to integrate the more challenging experiences of being a child today a good cry teaches our children they don't have to hurt someone else to feel better a good cry is the best medicine but as parents today we weren't taught this as children our own parents usually didn't know how to support our own tears as children so we didn't grow up with the message that crying is positive + healthy this is one of the many healing parts of being a parent today in supporting our children's tears we're supporting our own release of grief + stress in giving our children permission to cry we give ourselves permission to cry too Tips to support your children's healthy development through crying: 1) Simply notice your response: How do you respond to your children's tears? Do you feel angry, irritated, annoyed, unsure what to do, or are you able to neutrally sit with and "be with them" as they release their tears? Most of us have to teach ourselves how to neutrally " be with" kids as they cry. Honor where you are at today - and that it will change with your daily stress levels. You are teaching yourself this valuable life skill of "being with" and neutrally supporting your children' emotions. It's a process and a journey. 2) Practice being with your child and giving permission to cry: If we are uncomfortable, try to stop your kids from crying, or cave in on your own boundaries or family rules because your children are crying - then children learn that crying is bad, they may "stuff" their tears or turn to anger, or they may learn how to "manipulate" parents with high emotions. Instead, try repeating to yourself, "Crying is healthy. I give my children permission to cry." (Or repeat some positive crying affirmation that speaks to you.) Next, in a calm and connected moment, let your children know it's ok to cry. You can share some crying science with them. And let them know you are trying to be with them and support them when they cry. You can even developing a crying plan of action of what your children CAN DO when they cry and what YOU CAN DO to support them. Next, try out this "being with" and neutrally supporting your children through the tears of life. Often, giving permission to cry will initially intensify our children's tears, but result in shorter crying sessions and then less frequent, but healthy and emotionally supported crying. 3) Be gentle with yourself - this is parenting as healing. Use your own best judgement and intuition when supporting your children's tears. Seek professional guidance and support if you feel very triggered or are reacting in anger or shutting down to your children's tears. You can schedule a complementary exploratory session with me here. And remember, supporting our children's tears and healthy emotional release is healing your own childhood - and the world. You Got This. |
Mama Megan
Hi friends, I write from the heart to tell my life story, and the story of those in my neighborhood called life. Research shows that our children's emotional & mental health is contingent upon us parents being able to tell our life story, or "coherent narrative." This is my coherent narrative, my life story in the making, with some of what I love in life too. My goal is to share my life in a way that is real, uplifting & positive- sometimes serious, sometimes fun. In my practice, I inspire parents to empowerment through reclaiming our life stories and learning respectful discipline. My work is my offering to our children- our future. Wishing you all a happy family! Archives
May 2021
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