Acknowledge my situation
I am parenting in the pandemic. I am living in extraordinary times. My life is not normal. I am not in control of the world around me. This can feel uncomfortable and even painful at times. As a parent, I feel additional pressure because I am concerned for my children. I may want to change the world to make it safer and more supportive for them. This can take tremendous energy. I have come to appreciate that there is power in learning to change how I respond to the world. My children benefit.
Notice my reactions
When parenting in the pandemic, I take time to notice my reactions. My thoughts, emotions and body sensations provide me with information to let me know what is bothering me. For example, I have two daughters who were graduating high school during the pandemic. I know that graduation is an important time. I have a wish that my children could have a normal graduation. I feel sad and disappointed. I wish I could celebrate with them. I think they should be able to have a very special day.
Resolve my reactions
My traditional response to parenting in the pandemic would be to act on my thoughts and emotions. I would do something. I would work hard to give my children the special day that they deserved. Instead, I use Logosynthesis, developed by Dr. Willem Lammers, to process my reactions so I can feel calm and focused. The method is fast and easy. It is structured so I can simply connect with what bothers me and identify the perceptions that trigger these reactions. I then apply three specific sentences to shift the energy that is stuck in the triggers. The thoughts and emotions that bother me disappear.
Give it a try in this link:
Take action
My initial reaction is to take action. I now pay attention to my reactions and try to resolve the triggers before I act. I don’t always catch myself and that’s ok. I am now aware that when I resolve my reactions, I feel calmer and more focused. I can see additional alternatives. I can pause to ask my children what they would like to to do celebrate their graduation. We marked the occasion with a special piece of jewelry. We took fun photos. We got together with friends and family within the guidelines. We recognized that we missed out on some of the excitement but we were thankful that we were safe and healthy.
Enjoy the moments
The spring of 2020 was not a normal time for graduations. The spring of 2020 was a special time because our family had the opportunity to spend wonderful time together. The spring of 2020 was a special time because each of us in our family had the opportunity to spend time on our own. Of course, we miss the wonderful activities around our extended family, friends, school and sport. We enjoyed different times such as family meals, movie nights and games. We continue to move forward. My children look forward to the next step in their education. And their next graduation.
Find your moments
Parenting in the pandemic is challenging. Our challenges vary depending on many things: the age of our children; our family structure; our work situation; our financial position; our living space and so on. When we learn to take time to acknowledge our situation and recognize our automatic response, we can use the Logosynthesis method to feel more calm and focused. This is what our children notice. This is what influences how our children respond. This is what can support your parenting in the pandemic. Your children will thank you.