ML Interest Tag: matter

Unpacking Back-to-School Feelings

By Elanna Yalow

Photo: KinderCare Learning Centers

The back-to-school season is on the horizon for families around the country. With that comes a backpack full of emotions for children and parents. Some of these feelings may be expected, while others may be unexpected or surprising in their intensity.

While adults may know how to identify their emotions and express them appropriately, children are still learning these skills. Often, children’s emotions come out in their behaviors. A child who is excited may have trouble sitting still or focusing on the task at hand, while a child who is anxious may throw things or yell at their siblings.

No matter how you and your children feel about the start of a new school year, remember that all feelings are valid, both yours and your children’s. It’s completely understandable (and normal) to experience conflicting emotions about the same aspect of returning to school. You can be both nervous and excited at the thought of your child walking through those school doors and settling down into a classroom with their peers, and so can your child.

As we head into a new school year, here are tips for how you and your children can navigate some of the big emotions you both might feel.

Encourage Excitement

Talk with your child about the things that they are looking forward to when the school year starts, while also encouraging them to share the things that make them sad or concerned. Once you understand how they are feeling, look for or create an opportunity for your child to do more of what they’re enthusiastic about. For example, if your child is eager to be around other children, you could arrange extra opportunities for them to be around friends or look into school clubs or activities your child could join so they have even more opportunities to spend time with their friends or to make new friends. While focusing on the positive, remember to dismiss or minimize concerns or simply tell your child that it will all just be okay.

Address Anxiety & Fear

It’s perfectly normal to be anxious about new experiences and new people. No matter what your child is anxious or fearful about, talk about it with them. The first step to addressing an emotion, especially the tough ones, is to identify and validate it. Then you and your child can work together to find appropriate ways to address those fears. If your child is worried about reconnecting with or making new friends, you might try role playing to help your child practice or use puppets (socks on the hands might do) to act out meeting someone for the first time.

Be sure to address your own concerns too. If you’re worried about keeping your child and family safe and healthy, learn about the school’s health and safety plan and talk through the safety protocols with your child so that they are comfortable with them, including practicing some “what if” scenarios. Be sure to seek support from your child’s school too. School counselors often have access to a variety of child-focused support tools and community networks.

Embrace Relief

Returning to any semblance of normalcy may have you and your children jumping for joy. Going back to school is a sign of the world opening up again, of being able to do more of the things you like to do. Embrace that sense of relief and don’t second guess yourself or make a list of caveats.

Acknowledge Grief

In change there is often loss. Many families had to deal with challenging experiences during over the past 18 months. Despite how difficult this time may have been, there were probably also some bright spots for your family such as spending more time together and the opportunity to be more engaged in your child’s life. The thought of going back to “the way things were” may leave you or your child feeling sad about what might be left behind. Take a moment to acknowledge that loss. You can also brainstorm, together, how you might keep some of the things you liked about this past year in your lives, whether that’s a nightly family walk, a weekly game night or a special weekend meal you prepare together.

No matter how you and your child feel, embrace it. The back to school season is a time of new beginnings and your family is in it together. Try to appreciate all of the emotional ups and downs together and celebrate their emotional growth as well as your own. Establishing a habit of checking in on your child’s emotional wellbeing now reassures your child that you’ll be there to support them no matter what this new school year brings.

RELATED STORIES:
Stop Doing These 8 Things for Your Kids This School Year
Books That Will Get Your Child Excited about School
After Reading My Notes from Middle School, This Is What I Want My Daughter to Know

Dr. Elanna Yalow is Chief Academic Officer of KinderCare, the nation’s leading provider of high-quality early childhood education, supporting the development of KinderCare’s educational programs, educator professional development, quality and accreditation initiatives, research and evaluation, inclusion services, and public policy. She is married and the mother of two sons.

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Recall Alert: Chicken Tortilla Soup Recalled Due to Foreign Matter

by Karly Wood

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a recall by Blount Fine Foods of approximately 6,384 pounds of chicken tortilla soup by Panera. The fully cooked, read to eat chicken soup may contain extraneous material in the form of pieces of gray nitrile glove.

Several customers have complained of finding the foreign matter in their product to Blount Foods, but no adverse affect have been reported. Keep reading to see all the recall details.

The recall affects 16 oz. plastic containers of Panera BREAD at HOME Chicken Tortilla Soup and was produced on Jul. 1, 2021. Soups will have a lot code 070121-1V, “Use By 09/09/2021” and establishment number “P-13130” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Affected soups were sent to retail locations in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Consumers should check if they have any of the recalled products in their refrigerator and immediately throw away or return to the place of purchase.

Consumers can also contact Blount Fine Foods Customer Care Team at (866) 674-4519 Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern Standard Time with any additional questions.

––Karly Wood

 

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Joanna & Chip Gaines Just Launched the Magnolia Network, Including New “Fixer Upper”

by Sarah Shebek

Chip and Jo fans, your time has come! After months of waiting, the Magnolia Network officially kicked off today. You can stream the Gaines’ curated collection of original series and inspiring content through the Magnolia app or on discovery+.

Fixer Upper fans will be stoked to find that the show is back! Fixer Upper: Welcome Home has all new renovations with the Gaines and it’s one of the cornerstones of the new network. Re-runs of previous seasons will also be readily available. You’ll also get to watch Magnolia Table, Joanna Gaines’ cooking show that features her signature humor and Southern classics.

Beyond the Gaines, you’ll be treated to a lineup of entirely new shows focused on home improvement and cooking. Restoration Road features Clint Harp, one of the carpenters on Fixer Upper, who’s traveling the country to renovate historical structures. On Homegrown, Jamila Norman helps turn family backyards into functional farms. And there’s a whole “Stories Worth Telling” section that tells true stories about remarkable humans.

All of the content is currently only available to stream for discovery+ subscribers. However, Magnolia Network is coming to cable TV! It’s slated to replace the old DIY Network in January 2022. No matter how you plan to watch, we can all agree that the Gaines make screentime that much better.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of the Magnolia Network

 

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6 Things Moms Forget to Do but Shouldn’t

By Kara Reynolds

Moms are superheroes. They cook, clean, remember appointments, schedule playdates and delegate chores. They are only human, though, and sometimes they may forget things. Trying to juggle all your kids’ responsibilities, your obligations, your home life and potentially your career can push all other thoughts out of your mind. However, just because you’re doing so many things for others doesn’t mean you deserve less than that for yourself.

Less than 50% of moms would rate themselves as doing a spectacular job at motherhood, whether they have jobs or stay at home. While you’re looking after everyone else, you can still take small steps toward improving your own life, bit by bit.

1. Schedule Your Appointments
With all of your kids running around, it might be difficult for you to remember that you have appointments, too. Your health is important and shouldn’t be neglected. Just as you take care of your kids, you must take care of yourself, too.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re managing too many appointments at once. If you schedule everything for one day of the week, you might find it easier to keep up with them. You might have to take your child to the doctor one day, and the following week, it’s your turn.

Those weeks you might have off could be dedicated to catching up on social appointments. When’s the last time you got together with a friend? Just as your kids should have time with other children, you also need to socialize.

2. Budget for the Best Future
As difficult as it is to think about, you need to ensure your kids have the best future, no matter what happens. Before they’re born, you might want to set up a fund that can be used for college or another route after they graduate from high school. If you already have children, planning your will clearly and concisely will go a long way to making sure they’re protected.

3. Eat Healthy
Another part of taking care of yourself, your partner and your children is to prepare quality food that adds nutrients to your diet. It might be easier to go to a fast-food restaurant, but cooking allows you to teach your kids new recipes and give them more autonomy by allowing them to help with the little things.

If grocery trips are overwhelming, plan your meals ahead of time. With kids tagging along and asking to add multiple snacks to the cart, it’s hard to keep your mind on what staples you should add to your pantry. Being prepared prevents you from running into that issue because you’ll have a list. That way, you can quickly go through the aisles and keep track of what you pick up while also allowing a little room in your budget for your child’s favorite treat.

4. Set Goals for Yourself
Whether you have a full-time job or are a stay-at-home mom, you should have personal and professional goals for yourself. You must know yourself well and select specific objectives that don’t leave room for interpretation. By choosing these goals and writing them down, you’re committing yourself to be the best you can be—as a partner, a working professional and a mom.

Keeping your objectives in your mind will allow you to move forward with intention and grace. Every step you take will lead you closer to achieving the realistic and attainable goals you set for yourself.

5. Make Time for Self-Care
Who’s going to look after you and everyone else when you get sick or need some me-time? If you allow yourself to be run down, your daily home life will be disrupted. That isn’t to say you don’t deserve time to yourself—quite the opposite. Taking a break means you won’t hit a brick wall mentally or emotionally. It means your household will continue operating at a steady pace without you.

Basic self-care is essential. As a hardworking mom, you should allow yourself luxuries beyond that. Ask your partner to watch the kids while you get a massage or go out shopping with friends. After everything you do, you’ve earned a break.

6. Cherish the Memories
Your kids are only little once. Since time travel isn’t possible, every moment you spend with your family should be treasured, no matter what it is.

Even if you experience some setbacks in your day, one negative moment means nothing in the long run. Focus on the positives in your day-to-day life, and find things to be grateful for from the second you wake up to the time you go to bed. Changing your mindset to be more positive while allowing yourself to feel the negative emotions will make you a happier person overall.

You’re human, so you’re bound to make mistakes. Nobody expects you to be the perfect mother, and it’s OK to lose track of things now and then. As long as you center and take care of yourself, you’ll be well-equipped to look after the people you love, too.

RELATED STORIES:
9 Self-Care Ideas for Moms
Prioritizing Self Care as a Mom
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Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine.  A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures.  She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time. 

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Wanted: More Moms on the Field

By MOJO Inc.

As a kid, Mary Matthews only played soccer for a few years. But when her daughter’s soccer team needed a coach, Matthews stepped up. “I just absolutely fell in love with it.” she says. That was a decade ago. She’s since started Omaha Street Soccer, a nonprofit that brings soccer to kids in North Omaha.

Matthews’ story is unique, not because she took an extra leap in founding OSS, but because she is a woman. Youth sport—and all other levels of sport—is disproportionally coached by men, despite the growing number of female participants. “Participation has gone up, but women coaches have gone down,” says Dr. Nicol LaVoi, director of The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.

If more girls than ever are playing sports, does it matter who’s coaching?

It really does, says LaVoi. And it transcends sports. “Seeing women as coaches helps counter outdated gender stereotypes about women in leadership,” she says.

Betsy Jacketti, recreational director of Mandeville Soccer Club in Louisiana, agrees. “It’s very valuable for the girl youth player to have female role models,” she says. Women who coach model leadership roles for girls and provide valuable insight from a female perspective. The list of benefits goes on.

So how do we increase the number of women in coaching roles? LaVoi, Jacketti and Matthews shared some ideas on where to start.

Actively Recruit Moms

A general call for coaches doesn’t cut it. “Most of the calls are not inclusive enough,” says LaVoi. “Coaching is such a male-dominated space that a lot of women don’t think that means them.” Specifically, ask moms to coach—and point out that coaching is a great way to be a role model for young women. It’s also a way to volunteer within the community. “Men’s philanthropy tends to be around giving money while women’s tends to be around giving time and talent,” says LaVoi.

And best of all, if you can parent, you can coach. The skills carry over. “Planning, management, communication, organization, teaching, scheduling and interpersonal and relational expertise are all aspects of parenting that easily transfer to coaching.”

Make It Easier

In most families today, women who work full-time also manage the childcare duties at home. “Coaching seems like a third shift,” says LaVoi.

LaVoi recommends that rec directors encourage co-coaching. Having two coaches can provide more flexibility and allows for a more accessible commitment. Letting coaches pick a practice day and time that works for them and their childcare needs is another way to make coaching easier for moms.

It also helps  to rally the proverbial village. “Having a supportive cast, no matter who that is in your life” makes it easier, says Matthews. Older siblings could watch younger children during practices. Call in a favor from grandparents or friends. It’s a worthy cause.

Offer Women-Only Education

Just like women-only gyms, coaching clinics for women help them feel more safe and supported. “I think by nature women want to do things well and don’t want to mess up and are apprehensive to step into that role,” says Jacketti. It can be daunting to ask a question in a room full of male coaches as the only woman.

Jacketti makes sure her women coaches know they will have the resources they need. “We want to make it an environment where the coaches feel comfortable and have education and support to be able to get on the field and not feel lost,” she says. Mentorship programs where new coaches are paired up with seasoned ones are also effective.

Women Can Coach. Period.

The Tucker Center has loads of data on women in coaching. Their Game ON: Women Can Coach Toolkit is a great resource for anyone who wants to make changes on the field.

—Sue Pierce is a writer for MOJO.

RELATED:
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MOJO is on a mission to make youth sports more fun for everyone — one kid, one coach, one family at a time. 

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Five Ways Your Kids Can Help Take Care of Your Family Cat

by Nora Buchholtz
Partner Content

Whether you’re bringing home a brand new kitten or you’ve had a feline family member for a while kids can play an important role in caring for your crew’s cat. Not only does this help take some to-dos off your plate, but it gives little ones a chance to learn responsibility and get in some great bonding time with their beloved pet. Cats are generally independent and low-maintenance, but they still require lots of love and care. Here are five ways children can help with cat tasks:

Feeding Routines

Once you have a feeding schedule that works for your cat, kids can help scoop out the appropriate amount of dry food for the day. If your cat eats canned food, a grownup may have to assist with opening the can, depending on your child’s age. Kids can also be in charge of doling out treats for good behavior, keeping an eye on the water bowl and refilling it with fresh, clean water as needed.

Grooming

Cats enjoy keeping themselves clean and don’t require baths often. (They sure make a pet owner’s job easier!). Enlist your children to help brush their kitties regularly to keep their coats clean, reduce shedding and avoid hairballs. Find a brush that works gently and is easy for little hands to hold.

 

Litter Box Duties

Older children can help keep the litter box clean and tell you when the cat litter is low. Elementary school-aged children are more likely to be able to use the litter box scoop to remove daily droppings, carefully dispose of them in a nearby garbage can and wash their hands well afterward. Your cat will appreciate having a tidy place to “take care of business.”

Interactive Play

Cats make great friends and love to be mentally stimulated. Your child can spend endless time with your pet, teaching him new tricks, playing to stoke his curiosity and simply cuddling. Pro tip: the forts your kids make out of pillows and blankets are just as exciting for cats. They can also use their arts and crafts supplies to make DIY cat toys or cat trees out of cardboard. Toys that include bells, balls, fur, feathers, treats and catnip are always a fan-favorite among the feline set. And be sure to include your kitty in birthday festivities—they love turning crinkly wrapping paper into toys. Cats also make great pretend play partners (we’ve heard of many furry princesses, superheroes and dragons!).

Physical Activity

Cats benefit big time from physical activity. Playing is a purr-fect way to keep your cat active. Kids can try using a wand with toys attached that they can catch, similar to snagging their “prey.” Many people use laser pointers to get their kitty some physical activity, just make sure they don’t get frustrated by not being able to grab something real. Pulling a string across the floor like a snake always gets a kitty moving. (To avoid choking hazards, never leave string out once you’re done playing.)

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Why Parenting a Three-Year-Old Is So Hard

By Rachel Bowman

Parenting a three-year-old is hard.

Why, you ask?

I’ll tell you all the ways.

They never want your help, unless it’s something they can for sure do by themselves. Like when they want that thing that’s right next to them. But for some reason they cannot actually get it themselves and you just sat down on the other side of the room. Yeah, they want your help then.

You cannot reason with them. You think they should wear a jacket because it’s cold outside? Nope. Never going to happen. You’re either going to go outside without it and they will want to come back by the time you’ve made it to the end of the driveway or you have to try the bring-it-for-them-in-case-they-need it technique.

They will try your patience. It doesn’t matter how patient you are. There are times when it will not be quite enough. This is a stall tactic that they particularly like to use at times when you have somewhere to be or are already low on patience, like bedtime. It’s not that they move at the pace of a sloth, it’s more that they will not focus on the thing you actually want them to be doing. You ask them to go to the bathroom before bed. They will take off all their clothes. Roll around on the floor. Pick up a toy. Go into a different room (that’s not the bathroom). A million other things besides go into the bathroom.

They think they’re in charge. They would like to tell you exactly how every single thing should get done. And exactly what you are and are not allowed to do or help with.

They think you can read their mind. They will yell at you for giving them the wrong color cup. Without ever telling you what color cup they wanted in the first place. They will yell at you for turning off the light, even when they normally expect you to do it.

They can’t make up their minds. When you ask them a question they will say no. Wait a second. Then they will decide yes. It may stop there or they may change their answer a few more times. (Yes, this also tries your patience, but is still a whole category of it’s own.)

They have double standards. They can decide who is allowed in the bathroom with them. But they will not let you decide who can be in the bathroom with you.

So yes, parenting a three-year-old is hard. Thankfully they also laugh, smile, tell you they love you and sometimes they’re just plain fun. And that’s what makes it all worth it.

I'm a mom to 3 little girls and passionate about helping other moms find time to enjoy their kids by simplifying their lives. 

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8 Tips for Helping Your Blended Family Thrive

By Kara Reynolds

Photo: Storyblocks

In many ways, blended families are just like any “traditional” family. There are conflicts, chaos, understanding and a whole lot of love to go along with it. While there are many different definitions of a blended family, a blended family is any family in which there are people who aren’t traditionally or biologically related to each other. Whether that means an extended tree of relatives involved in your nuclear family, step-moms and step-dads, half-siblings—you name it! But no matter how your family is blended, the most important part of the phrase isn’t the blending—it’s the family.

Whether your blended family is newer or you’re simply looking for techniques to help your already existing family thrive, there are so many ways to improve your family’s function. Really, helping a blended family thrive has a lot in common with what you’d do to help any family thrive. While, of course, every family is unique, blended families are a part of that idea. There are so many ways you can ensure that you’re doing the best for your family and that they’re all participating in seeing your family thrive. Here are a few ways you can make that happen.

1. Be Patient
If your blended family is a more recent introduction to everyone’s lives, patience can be a virtue for everyone. A shift in your family can be a lot to adjust to, no matter how old you are, especially if you don’t have much of a say in the matter. Be patient with everyone who is spending some time and energy adjusting, and be patient with yourself, too.

2. Set Boundaries
Different families have different standards for boundaries, and when you enter a new family situation, it’s important to re-establish boundaries and communicate what makes everyone feel the most comfortable. Especially when it comes to kids living with new people while they begin to understand their autonomy, they should know that they have the right and responsibility to set the boundaries they need.

3. Work on Communication
Working on open communication is crucial in any family, but especially in a blended family, where people have different backgrounds, experiences, ideas and boundaries. You don’t always know how the different members of your family are used to talking about things, so it can be highly beneficial to talk about your feelings as a group and make sure everyone is comfortable and taken care of.

4. Have Family Meetings
One of the best venues for communication is the family meeting. Especially if you have a larger family, a meeting could be a great way to get everyone together in one place so everybody can be involved in communication and decision-making. Family meetings are some of the best places to talk about everything from big to small.

5. Give Space When Necessary
Families are close, but that doesn’t mean you always need to be on top of each other all the time. Whether you’re dealing with kids’ feelings, yours or your partners, space can sometimes be the answer to a lot of the anxieties and overwhelming situations that can come with a new family. Of course, families stick together through thick and thin, but people need space to process things, too.

6. Practice Autonomy
From bodily autonomy to setting boundaries, this one can be especially important for kids in a new environment. Even if you know everyone around you is safe and well-intentioned, it’s important to make sure your kids know they always have a say in what happens to them and that they can set the boundaries they need to feel comfortable.

7. Be Realistic
One great thing to keep in mind about blending a family is that not everyone will get along swimmingly all the time right away. Some siblings will fight like siblings, there might be disputes here and there and there might be some awkwardness. Blending doesn’t always mean that things are peachy. Families have rough patches, and it’s important to be realistic and not expect perfection.

8. Start New Traditions Together
One of the best ways to get families to connect is through traditions. This is a place where you can really have fun with things. You can take your traditions in any direction you want—from family game nights to camping trips, to special holiday activities. Traditions are a way for everyone to have fun together, and what could be more special than that?

Helping Your Blended Family Thrive
Helping your blended family thrive is a lot like you’d help any family thrive—with a whole lot of love, effort and communication. And while it might not always be easy, it’ll always be worthwhile when you see everyone connecting and building new relationships together. Whether you place emphasis on family meetings, new traditions or setting boundaries, there are so many ways you can build your family up, together.

Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine.  A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures.  She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time. 

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How I Explain Racism to My White Friends (So They Can Explain It to Their Kids)

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Editor’s note: At Red Tricycle, we stand for justice, humanity and equal rights. We stand with Black families, co-workers, partners and the community to speak out against racism. We also stand for education and connection. Our writer, Ayren Jackson-Cannady, offers us not only perspective here but real, actionable ways to make positive change.


…and what to do when you just don’t have the words.

Last year, when my husband and I took our kids to a state fair, it was the first time our son was tall enough to ride a “scary” ride. Of course, the ride he chose (hello, Kamikaze!) was also the most popular with an estimated 30-minute wait time. Just when I was ready to throw in the funnel cake and find a new thrill ride, a family of stilt walkers—a mom, dad, and two kids—toddled towards us, stopping nearby for a quick performance. 

They did karate kicks and jumping jacks. They hopped on one foot and then the other. They did a very elaborate chicken dance. The mom stilt walker even hula hooped…while juggling!

My attention quickly shifted from “this line is never going to move” to “how in the world are these people (these kids!) maneuvering with those things tied to their feet?”

So it goes with race and injustice. 

Being Black in America is like being a stilt walker.

In order to get from point A to point B, it’s necessary to maintain a very specific amount of balance. Leaning too much to one side or the other—being too loud, too quiet, too educated, too uneducated, too this, too that—can be detrimental.

And, it doesn’t matter how skilled you are. It doesn’t matter how far you climb the corporate ladder. It doesn’t matter how much joy you bring into the lives of others or how AWESOME you are. When you miss a beat or skip a step (or go jogging…or birding…or shopping…) the bumps in the road of injustice can bring you down—and bring you down hard. 

Question: Have you ever seen a stilt walker get back up on their own after a tumble? Nope. Because, guess what? They can’t. Stilt walkers rely on helpers on the ground to dust them off and lift them back up. White Americans who don’t have to walk on the stilts of inequality have the ability—the privilege—to be the helpers for communities of color. 

Stepping out of the shadow of privilege is making someone else’s struggle your struggle.

It’s kicking those pebbles of racial injustice out of the way to prevent the tragic wrecks. And when Black moms, dads, and kids start to wobble, it’s steadying them by grabbing a stilt until balance is found.

And if the words never come. That’s okay, too. Sometimes—er, all the time—actions speak louder than words. Here are some things that you can DO with your kids that will help to open their eyes to race and injustice:

Read with them.

Even if they’re 10 and think they’re grown and too old to be read to…there are a bajillion books out there that address the topic of bias, diversity and injustice in a way that kids get. Start here: 

Connect with families not like your own.

Sure, you might have to do that virtually now. But when it’s safe for everyone, get together to serve other families in your community that might need help. Remember: It’s all about steadying those who are walking on stilts. 

Play!

 Surround your kids with toys and playthings that help cultivate appreciation and acceptance for people that don’t look like them. These are fun: 

 

Watch films or TV shows that help educate on the topic of race and inequality.

If your kids have been watching a lot of television lately, they’re not alone. The next time they’re begging to turn on the TV, put one of these on for them:

This “stilts” example of how I envision race and injustice working may go completely over your kids’ heads (full transparency: I tried to explain it to my five-year-old and I completely lost her at the hula hooping mom). But I share all of this to say that the key to being able to talk to our kids about the injustices that have happened and continue to happen to Black people in the United States is to try to fully understand them ourselves. Once we know our history (because, news flash, Black history is everyone’s history) and we can comprehend the complexities of injustice, then we can openly and honestly communicate it to our kids. 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

RELATED STORIES 

21 Places to Visit to Understand Race in America 

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How to Educate Your Children on Riots & Protests 

This Author Compiled a List of 500 Diverse Books for Teens & Tweens 

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It’s Okay to Rest Your Weary Head

By Ali Flynn

Photo: Ali Flynn

Sometimes we all need to rest our weary head, take pause and simply sit for a moment.

It may not look pretty. We may look a mess. But, we are doing exactly what we are meant to do, at that moment.

Some days we truly need to rest our weary head.

Maybe we are in overdrive due to not being able to shut down thoughts, which perseverate through our mind, day after day, and the stress taking hold, causing feelings of isolation…but it’s okay to rest your weary head.

Maybe it’s taking on too much as a Mom and attempting to be everything to everyone, answering what feels like hundreds of questions daily, while our name is being called over and over again…but it’s okay to rest your weary head.

Maybe it’s the balance of work, friends, family, and everyday stressors taking over and suffocating who you are as an individual woman…but it’s okay to rest your weary head.

It’s okay to say no.

It’s okay to take a break.

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed even when trying your best to keep life moving forward with positivity.

So friends, no matter what is weighing heavy on your heart and no matter what is weighing you down, know this to be true:

It’s okay to take a pause and do what is meant for you at that moment.

Not what is meant for your friend. Not what is meant for your mother. Not what is meant for your neighbor and not what is meant for your sister.

You. Do what is right for you.

Do you need a break away?

Do you need ten minutes alone to regroup?

Whatever it may be, acknowledge what you need and give yourself permission to lay down your head, take a deep breath and move forward along your journey.

Your soul will thank you for the respite.

It’s okay mama to rest your weary head.

This post originally appeared on Hang in there mama by Ali Flynn.

 

 

Ali Flynn Is excited to share with you the joys and hardships of motherhood with an open heart, laughter and some tears. Ali is a monthly guest contributor for Westchester County Mom  and has been seen on Filter Free Parents, Grown and Flown, Today Parents and Her View From Home.

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