Being Home For The Holidays. Enjoy Your Winter Break.
Two weeks ago, I wrote to many of you who were on the last leg of your Semester 1 University or College exams. Congratulations! You finished the semester and hopefully it was everything that you hoped it would be. Next week we’ll talk about setting great goals for the New Year.
Now you’re home. The laundry is done. You’ve had a few home cooked meals. And you’ve had the chance to sleep off your last few weeks of studying (or) cramming and living at the library. Being home feels good. But in just a few days you’ll be wishing you were back at school and living on your own again.
Here are my 6 ½ tips to surviving the next two weeks at home before you go back to school.
1. Adjust To The New Normal – Its true, no matter how your family is composed, they have had to adjust to you not being home and now you’re throwing off the whole routine
2. Respect The Rules – Being on your own is great. But your family and home have rules. You must follow them.
3. Help Around The House – Little things. Make your time at home positive.
4. Talk – You learned a lot this semester. Show off what you learned!
5. Communicate – True, living on your own is great! You don’t have to tell anyone where you’re going or when you’ll be home. They’re not babying you. They’re interested!
6. Adjust Your Habits – You’ve worked hard the last four months. You’re on vacation. You deserve to sleep all day, or stay out late with your friends. But you don’t want your parents thinking that’s what you do every day at school
6 ½. Spend Time With Your Family – They missed you. And they’re happy that you’re home.
Want to talk? Michael is available to do telephone or online sessions. Develop a therapeutic relationship in Toronto and continue it while you’re away at school.
Feeling Good As You Send Your Kids To School
Like so many of you, I watched the terrifying images of the events in Newtown, Connecticut over the weekend. Like so many of you, I thought about all those affected by this tragedy. And like so many of you, I started to think about my loved ones and my community.
As the weekend draws to a close, I think about my own Monday Morning, walking through the door of the elementary school where I work (one of 6 elementary and high schools) where I provide counselling and support to students, staff, teachers and families. On Monday morning I will think about all of the students that will walk into their schools with the expectation that they will be safe
For parents, there will likely be some fear and anxiety as you get your children ready for school on Monday morning. And if your kids know about the incident on Friday, they will likely be a little anxious themselves.
Here are my 6 ½ tips for getting your kids through the door of their school on Monday morning so that parents and children feel safe.
1. Validate Their Anxieties – If they are scared or nervous to go to school, tell them that you understand and ask what you can do to help them feel more comfortable.
2. But Don’t Let Them See Yours – If you are more scared than they are, they will pick up on that and it may escalate their feelings.
3. The School Is Your Friend – If they are really nervous, call the school, explain the situation and ask them for support.
4. Don’t Bring It Up Unless They Do – Kids spend a lot of time thinking about themselves, even the sensitive and caring ones. The morning before school is often spent thinking about the day ahead – not reflecting on the news of the weekend.
5. Monitor The Media – Like above, if you can keep it from them while they are getting ready, they are less likely to think about it.
6. Take That Extra Moment – Even if your kids don’t know why, give them a hug and a kiss, write a note and leave it in their lunch, send an extra special text message. It will make everyone feel good.
6 ½. Say I Love You.
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