Parenting is hard work. Without doubt it's one of the hardest things I've ever done and continues to teach me with new challenges and adventures. We tell ourselves that we can do more and be better while we get stretched thinner and thinner and look everywhere for guidance and inspiration. There's no parent guidebook they say... actually there are too many parent guidebooks so it's hard to know what's helpful and what's harmful!
This is my year of choosing new areas to be uncomfortable and embrace the discomfort hoping to exchange this for growth and movement. I didn't know what this would look like so have kept it quite general and abstract in my head and am trying to let things unfold as they may knowing that my natural flow will kick in. I also trust that even if I could imagine the most amazing vision for what I want, what is best for me is always even better so I'm trying to keep a blank canvas and be open.
There is an amazing explosion and movement happening everywhere. Kids are getting into the kitchen and creating. Have you seen it? Can you feel it? Are they being encouraged and given independence and creative license?? Are they trying new things? Experimenting and pushing the boundaries? Is food even fun?
Life keeps changing so fast and it's hard to keep up. Do we even have to keep up? After having so much time to really STOP, kickstarting our worlds is a challenge for everyone. We need to nurture ourselves and ease back into the land of the living on our terms.
This is a crazy time and it's a good time to STOP and see where you're at. Check in with yourself. This blog is called 'The Over-r-whelm' for a reason! ;)
I recently tried a new healing exercise, EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique, otherwise known as 'tapping' and I had to share it. You can do this for even 5 minutes and you'll notice a huge difference in your breathing and posture quickly. It's super for kids and adults of any age so while you've got a bit more time than normal, give it a test drive.
Ok actually, this is how to get your family to eat eggplant! It's a beautiful aubergine coloured vegetable and generally kids don't like the looks of it. It can be bitter and chewy and rather unappetising. On the other hand, they're healthy and hey, we're meant to eat a rainbow of food and there aren't many other purple veggies!
I recommend getting your kids to help in the kitchen because when they see what goes into it, I've found they're more than likely to at least give it a test drive and try it too.
What a crazy time it is right now. Country by country we're going into lockdown and being told to isolate in our homes to stay safe. We're being told to social distance and not touch each other, in other words to detach and disconnect. No one could have predicted this (except Bill Gates in his amazing 2014 TED talk) and it's more far fetched than the weirdest science-fiction movie we could imagine. Is all hope lost?
Everything in the world has changed. How do we keep our families happy and healthy and keep putting one foot in front of the other? Well, we just do.
We all need to be realistic and vigilant and re-frame the situation. We need to be positive for our kids and ourselves and know that ... this too shall pass. The sooner we all take action and stay safe with our families, the sooner we can go back to many freedoms.
So in the meantime, what do we do?
Thinking time is such a simple concept although most don't do it often. I know I don't do it enough. The idea of taking some time out for myself makes my shoulders drop and my mind crave how I can make it happen with the chaos of life. Thinking time is blocking out time in your diary on a regular basis, (daily, 3x a week, weekly, whatever suits you) unplugging from devices and sitting with yourself. Really sitting and doing nothing. Just being. Imagine if this became your normal?
I first heard Sarah Blondin on her podcast called 'Live Awake'. Her voice is calm, relaxed and almost meditative. I'm sharing her with you as she has so much to say that we all need to listen to. We all need to take 5, put our feet up and give ourselves a break and what better way then for Sarah to share her open letter to the women of this world. Go on and give yourself that one thing you can control, time, and tap into your inner strength that is there. Then watch the magic unfold.
I love helping out at my child's school whether it's in the canteen or sitting one-on-one with kids going over their timetables. I do this because the school asks for volunteers, my son likes it when I help and the icing on the cake - I get to feel amazing knowing I've done my part and have a little taste of his school world. Being a parent is fulfilling on many levels.
Allergic reactions are scary. Jasper had an anaphylaxis episode when he was only 14 months and meant to be napping. He wouldn't go to sleep and wouldn't settle. He was red and blotchy and I knew right away it was an allergic reaction.
