B2S...A Parent's Working Holiday

Okay so this blog is dedicated 2 all the parents in the world.

There r 3 words every parent luvs 2 hear @ the beginning of Aug, @ least in most of the US. These 3 words hold a certain power that brings both stress & relief @ the same time. Brace urself bc they may give u tingles....BACK...2...SCHOOL!! :)

Whether it is the first time ur child has ever attended or a return adventure 4 u, back 2 school means learning, growing & the occupying of our children's attention. The start of each yr should b a special time. Now there r some parents 4 whom doing this is not possible due 2 their jobs, but 4 those who r able it is always memorable. From the having 2 let go 4 the first time 2 realizing that ur baby isn't such a baby anymore, these memories can never b replaced & can b uniquely different each yr.

Each grade level brings w/it new challenges as well as new experiences. The best advice I could give 2 any parent having a difficult time getting a child 2 let go is 2 try & make it as fun as possible. They need 2 kno that they will b safe & that there is fun in learning. Most times if a childs sees that u believe this they will 2. Reinforce that it is a gr8 time 2 spend w/friends as well as discover more about the world around them. Talk 2 them each day when they get home & find out what they r learning. This will make ur child feel like they have done something so important that it needs attention. It is a gr8 way 2 keep updated on what ur child is doing in school as well as open the lines of communication so that they feel welcome when they want 2 talk.

One thing I do is allow my daughter the ability 2 put her outfit 4 the next day 2gether, within limits LOL. My basic rule on dress code is that she is the 1 who has 2 walk around in it. Children should like what they r wearing. It gives them the opportunity 2 b creative as well as giving them a self-esteem boost. Now this does not mean I just let whatever go. I have final approval of the outfit but provided it isn't 2 out of control, it is she who needs 2 wear the clothes. I also take time out of the day 2 talk 2 her about her day. Sometimes she may not feel like talking but she always knows I am here & would luv 2 listen. Whether it is rite after school, just b4 bedtime or during ur morning routine, make time 2 talk w/ur child.

The most important advice I can give parents is 2 always find time 4 themselves. A moment 2 clear ur head, re-focus if u must. As much time as u can, whenever u can. This will help keep any parent sane.

Lastly, I wish u all a very memorable, successful school year & thank u 4 taking a few mins out of ur day 2 stop by! :)

Altering Without Changing

Every person reaches a point in their lives when they feel like they've stopped. Ur feet feel as though they r encased in cement rendering u unable 2 move. This can drive even the sanest person crazy. One can feel their life is over without realizing it hasn't completely begun. Some make choices & can end up feeling like those choices r what the rest of their lives will b. I was 22 years old when these feelings began growing inside of me. My daughter was an infant, my relationship was unhealthy & I was beginning 2 lose my reflection. After the postpartum depression began 2 ease up I was flooded with the feeling that where my life was at that moment was where it would b forever. One part of me felt complete with the new role I had taken on as a mommy. The other part of me felt lost in a cloud of uncertainty. Those who knew me, naturally only viewing from the outside, would have thought it impossible 4 me 2 get lost. I grew up with a very loving, close family. I was raised with the belief that a family sticks together no matter what & was always there for one another.

There is this stereotype of people who lose their way. It is widely assumed that they have always struggled bc of a lack of stability growing up & for many that is the case. Then there r ppl like me. Here I was having grown up with a wonderful family, food in my stomach almost always & a constant roof over my head. How could some1 like me not b able 2c their way? How could some1 like me allow things 2 pull me away from the place where I was safe? The answer is that is doesn't matter what could do that, it only matters that it is possible. I was lost & I had absolutely no memory of who I was. I remembered as a child having a strong sense of the kind of person I wanted 2b & yet I couldn't remember the point where I'd lost that. Being lost can make ur mind so cloudy that u make choices u would normally never make. U lack all the things necessary 2 preventing u from walking the wrong way....caring, motivation, will power, strength....just a few of what was missing. I was clear on 1 thing, I was the only 1 I trusted 2 raise my daughter & that kept me from jumping off the edge.

Once I was able 2 go 2 a place where it was possible 4 me 2 let go of what was poisoning me I began 2c things so differently. I knew something had 2 change. The core of who I was, who I am & who I will b is always there even when I can't see it. What I needed was not 2 change myself but instead alter my approach 2 things. See, u don't have 2 stop being the person u r 2 make a better life 4 urself. All u really have 2 do is make the choices that will respect who u r & reinforce the strength behind it instead of trying 2 break it down. B brave enough 2 alter the way u live without changing who u r!

May u wake up each day with a thankful heart, appreciate those around u who luv u & never take a single breath 4 granted! Until we meet again :)