Choose one intentional action.
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“This might be the year that we set norms around our abilities to focus and regulate. Similarly, a routine that is too rigid may not support the emotional needs of dealing with this time. Work diligently to set norms that account for the unique needs of your family within the context of work and school needs and routines that reflect flexibility with predictability in balance.”
What is one routine or rhythm you can add to your family life for next week? I am going to start my day with a 5 minute meditation.
Read the full article here. 4 Ways to Weather “Back to School” in Uncertain Times A few intentional actions can help the fall feel manageable. By Doreen Dodgen-Magee, Psy.D.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF.
Parents, are you in need of support?
Parenting today can be tough. Are you struggling to make decisions about your child’s education plan for this coming school year? Is your mind swirling with ideas and fears? I can help you sift through your thoughts and listen for your next steps. I offer coaching to parents to help clarify their needs and create plans from what they value. With over 20 years of experience as an elementary educator, instructional specialist and literacy coach, I can support you to
- Prioritize and design your next steps for the school year
- Find online educational resources based on your needs
- Design a custom family plan to support distance learning
- Connect to other educational experts & specialists
- Learn strategies for celebrating your child’s growth.
I also provide coaching for students grade 5 and above to develop schedules and strategies for at home learning success.
Click here to schedule a free 30 minute conversation.
Looking for Free Learning Online? 6 Fun Resources for Kids
I have many great memories of being a stay at home parent. I also have memories of days that seemed to move in slow motion where my energy ran out before it was bedtime. My heart goes out to all the parents who are juggling life with school closures. I am sure you are looking for creative ways to keep your kids learning and occupied. Here is a list of 6 free, safe, choices.
- Smithonsonian Kids: online activities to do at home.
- Virtual tours at 12 famous museums from Travel and Leisure (e.g., Guggenheim, British Museum, National Gallery of Art in D.C.)
- Authors Everywhere!: a Youtube Channel created and run by children’s book writers and illustrators. On this channel, you’ll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more.
- Storyline Online: videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Each book includes supplemental curriculum to strengthen comprehension, verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
- Emily Arrow: Sing At Home With Emily Arrow Monday – Friday 1:00 p.m. ET and 10:00 a.m. PST She also has many songs to sing along with anytime from her website.
- Jarrett J. Krosoczka—author & illustrator: Free art lesson webcasts from the author of theLunch Lady series and more. Every weekday at 11 am Pacific for “at least the next fewweeks.” If you can’t watch live, the episodes will be archived.
Someday you may look back on this time fondly. A time when you were all together, bonded by the challenges and came to know each other more deeply. Look for opportunities to laugh and make memories to look back on. Your children will grow up.
Time for a pillow fight.
Take good care. Sending love.
Ali Grimshaw, Life By Design Coaching
Growing Our Next Leaders Through Listening
When our teens have ideas and are ready to work for change in our world how do we keep them hopeful and build their resilience? And how do we grow this next generation of leaders? This article, Empower Our Teens to Be Compassionate Leaders, has many suggestions that I want to echo. Yet the one that has made the most difference for me parenting and working with teens is, “When you talk to your teenager, listen first and seek to understand before talking.” If you want to build a relationship, ask questions and really listen, then ask more questions and listen. LIsten with your whole face. Be around. Be available. When your daughter wants to show you a video of the skateboarding move she wants to learn, watch it with her. When your son wants to cook with friends, be there to cheer them on and eat what they create even if it is a little burnt. When your teen has something to share with you. Stop. This is your chance to know him. These moments are golden. These positive connections teach our children that we love them the way they are and believe in who they want to become. Our actions of listening show that we value who they are now and in the future. From this they will learn to value themselves. Strong leaders need to believe in themselves. Effective leaders need to know how to listen. You will have shown them the way one conversation at a time.
This wonderful article is from The Gottman Institute, Empower Our Teens to Be Compassionate Leaders by Lisa McCrohan, MA, LCSW-C, SEP
Inspiration from Dr. Northrup
“It is our vision and hope for the future that heals us and draws us forward. Our cells keep replacing themselves daily, and we create a whole new body every seven years. So it is not accurate to say that our pasts are locked in our bodies, though sometimes it seems that way. What is really going on is that the consciousness that is creating our cells is often locked in the past – and that consciousness keeps re-creating the same old patterns. If, however, we can change the consciousness that creates our cells, then our cells and lives improve automatically, because health and joy are our natural state.” – Dr. Christiane Northrup
Grab your paper and give Dr. Northrup’s visioning exercise a try by asking yourself the following questions:
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- “If anything at all were possible, quickly, easily, and now, what would your life look like?”
- “Who would be in it?”
- “What would you be doing?”
- “Where would you be living?”
- “What would you feel like?”
- “What would you look like?”
- “How much money would you be making?”
Now imagine yourself one year from today, having created what you want. Really envision your phenomenal year. Look back, envision and celebrate this imagined year “through the power of connecting with your inner guidance and wisdom”.
If you haven’t read her book, Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom. I would recommend it.
If this seems overwhelming reach out for support from me or another coach your trust.
All things are possible if you chose to take action from a place of love.
Ali
Slightly To The Right
One step to the right
not a stretch, just a nudge
shift of weight to the side.
One step away, between
worry and what if?
Landscape of exhaustion
or a horizon of possibility.
Not a marathon,
nothing to train for,
just one
small
step.
Get your shoes on.
wonder is waiting.
© Ali Grimshaw 2018
Tomorrow
It is easy to forget that tomorrow can be different when we are saturated in the emotions of today. Connecting to others makes a huge difference. Here is a poem for inspiration to leave your doorway and be open to who you might find on your path.
Dusk
Quiveringly quiet,
with anticipation of freedom,
framed by the sturdily built doorway,
she waits to greet dusk,
smelling the wind of tomorrow coming.
Once outside, she will never wear
that heavy cloak of blame again.
Even her shadow will no longer
be the same.
© Alicia Grimshaw 2019
Ali Grimshaw M.S. 