Newsletter #2 - Fall Resolutions
New Year resolutions can be any time. I believe fall is a fine time to plan to make a change. Fall always feels like change to me. I have always moved internally and believed September is a time for reevaluation. January never has felt like a beginning to me. Maybe it is too cold in January to begin? September is a time for school, new socks, and new colors and new connecting. Calendars fill up with new schedules, rakes come out of the rafters and festive foliage replaces mosquito repellant. This fall I would hope each of us is able to make emotional connections with those whose pictures are on the mantel. Too often people we care about are just that.... pictures on the mantel-or in the family album. I wonder how well we connect with one another as family members on a daily basis. In a movie I saw this summer the actress said, “It does not take more energy to be pleasant. Being kind is not more difficult that being crabby. I believe we need to value family stories, family discussions and shared events.
This summer, I attended family gatherings where people clutched at memories and pictures of a suddenly dead loved one. A young woman had been snuffed from their lives by a drunken driver. No one had time to say good by. Life is short. Life is to be celebrated. Life should not be one of "regrets"and "I wish I had saids." This fall--- take time to build memories, take time for hugs, and spend time with those whose pictures are on the mantel.
Parent Question: Now that school has started, our bedtime routine is unclear. During the summer there was no need for a bedtime ritual. Now our mornings are rushed and quite often filled with unhappy faces and angry words.
Ada's Response: Children thrive when parents implement clear and predictable procedures. Children learn over time that wearing a seat belt is always required. Applying a similar approach to bedtime procedures will ease school day tensions. Parents need to take a leadership role and determine a bed time routine that is followed during the school week. The routine needs to be consistent. Select a way that it is always done and stick to it. At our house, teeth were brushed, a story was read and children were put in bed. A regular bedtime routine also includes a time one needs to get up to prepare for school. Purchase a clock for the child to learn how to get up. Be sure there is enough time in the morning for “Have a good day in school.” I would recommend every morning saying to your child, “I love being your mom.” “I love being your dad.” Avoid sending your child to school running on emotional empty.
This summer, I attended family gatherings where people clutched at memories and pictures of a suddenly dead loved one. A young woman had been snuffed from their lives by a drunken driver. No one had time to say good by. Life is short. Life is to be celebrated. Life should not be one of "regrets"and "I wish I had saids." This fall--- take time to build memories, take time for hugs, and spend time with those whose pictures are on the mantel.
Parent Question: Now that school has started, our bedtime routine is unclear. During the summer there was no need for a bedtime ritual. Now our mornings are rushed and quite often filled with unhappy faces and angry words.
Ada's Response: Children thrive when parents implement clear and predictable procedures. Children learn over time that wearing a seat belt is always required. Applying a similar approach to bedtime procedures will ease school day tensions. Parents need to take a leadership role and determine a bed time routine that is followed during the school week. The routine needs to be consistent. Select a way that it is always done and stick to it. At our house, teeth were brushed, a story was read and children were put in bed. A regular bedtime routine also includes a time one needs to get up to prepare for school. Purchase a clock for the child to learn how to get up. Be sure there is enough time in the morning for “Have a good day in school.” I would recommend every morning saying to your child, “I love being your mom.” “I love being your dad.” Avoid sending your child to school running on emotional empty.
posted by Ada at
8:46 AM
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