Bumpy Back-to-School?

The first days and weeks of school can be exhausting. The back to school experience won't be perfect.

Whether you're missing some essential supply, your child is having trouble with friends, a teacher seems unapproachable, or there are more serious concerns, this school year won't be perfect. That doesn't mean that you're doing it wrong, it is the nature of reality!

There are some things that may help.

If you're feeling hyper-focused on a problem, stop for a bit and turn your attention inward. Get curious about how you actually feel. What's happening in your body when you think about the issue--tightness, pressure, emptiness, heat, coolness, movement, something else? Is there an emotion happening in you (basic emotions include fear, anger, happiness, surprise, disgust, sadness)? Make some space to care for your feelings. Name what you feel, breathe into it, shake it out through your arms, speak gently to yourself as you might speak to a very small child.

If your child is struggling or upset, can you be present for them without (for now) fixing the problem? Instead of pushing them to talk more than they want to, see if you can listen. Know that you can listen even to their silence and their body language, giving them time to talk when they're ready! Instead of trying to rescue them, is it possible to slow down and trust them to find their own way through the challenge? Or simply to remember that they are strong and capable beings on a learning mission. When we are steady, our children 'catch' the steadiness instead of the stress.

When you do need to do something, is it possible to find your inner wisdom before taking action? Ground yourself, drink a glass of water, feel your breath for several minutes, take a run, hold a favorite yoga pose. Take action once you've reconnected with your inner wisdom and spaciousness and are able to act from your heart.

*photo by Javardh on Unsplash.

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