Kia ora beautiful you. Yes, it's that time again - school holidays. School holidays might fill you with a little bit of dread with all the extra costs and organising the kids. Or maybe they are welcomed - you get to take time off work, or you are a teacher or a commuter. Isn't it amazing how much easier the roads are to navigate during school breaks!
Either way - how we approach the time with our kids is going to matter. I remember running parenting courses and we would do this excersise where each person was given a headband to wear with a word on the front of it, they didn't know what the word was.
We would run through various steps in the exercise. Then we would ask those who thought they were wearing a negative label to move to that side of the room, and those who thought they were wearing a positive label to move to this side.
100% of the time, the room would be divide according to the label they wore. A very powerful example of how words affect how we see ourselves and how we interact with others according to how we are spoken to!
Last night I was watching an episode of Super Nanny Jo Frost on YouTube and she did a similar excersise with the parents using photos of the children. Jo explained how they were helping to create the behaviours in their children by the labels they had inadvertently put on them.
It was a huge Aha moment for the parents. Then Jo ripped up the labels and asked the parents to write out new positive words to describe their children.
You can watch the episode Click here
Over the holidays I encourage you to use compassion in your words. Compassion is a tool that can add gentleness to our parenting. It helps if we can imagine how we'd like to be spoken to and treated, then do that to those around us. Especially for our kids who basically just want us to be kind to them.
No parent guilt here people. I totally get we are not always going to get it right. None of us always get it right! But we do get a new opportunity to do it a little differently every time we speak. Cool ay!
Are you looking for a creative resource for your children over the holidays? Check out a copy of Make a Splash an interactive art journal that has prompts, encouragement and exercises designed to help your young person find their standing place, a place where they can say, here I am, and I'm okay. Click here to find out more: michellepeat.co.nz/artjournal
There are still printed copies available and what some parents are doing is buying an eCopy for themselves so they know what their children are working on, and use the topics as conversational starters.
I made this with 10 - 16 year olds in mind, but other ages are enjoying this art journal too.
What people are saying about Make a Splash:
One word. Amazing! Thank you so much for creating this journal, Michelle.
Stephanie Ots Mother of 12-year-old boy.
It helped me with my depression and stress.
Age 16
Creative, insightful, and engaging. Written in an easy-to-understand style, I highly recommend this latest publication of Michelle's.
Selena Needham Lead Therapist HEART Collective.
I have learnt about well being and problem solving.
Age 20
This book honestly would be perfect for anyone who wants to dive into the world of their own thought and to see those thoughts on paper, not only with words but colour, texture, memories, and everything in between. - Bree 17 years.
I have learnt tips on how to cope with mental health illness.
Age 21
To find out more about Make a Splash Click here
I can send printed copies anywhere within New Zealand or Australia, further than that and postal costs just go crazy. eBook's are postage free x
Give your communication skills a boost using empathy Click here
Get tips on how to have fun with your kids Click here
How to put forward an apology when we need to Click here
Thank you for taking time to read my blog. And if you know someone who would get some joy out of receiving this post, please feel free to share. All the very best over the school holidays. Ka kite ano, and I'll see ya next time. Aroha nui Michelle x
Oh and you can check out my free stuff here: Free stuff