NANA SAYS THE HUGE TRANSITION IS ON -BACK TO SCHOOL IS NOW

Summer is almost over. Still to the middle of September but school starts next week. The big transition, the readjustment. For some, the same school. For some, a new school. Wearing the first day back to school outfit. From day care to Junior Kindergarten! The new teacher or teachers. The routine, the lunches, the lessons. Well the transition is the gearing up again for all the busy times.
How to adjust as a parent takes time too!
So organization is huge. Plan, calendar, everything ready- then sit back and try to relish the excitement that the children have. The fears! The happiness to see friends! The disappointment not in every friend's class! New learning! The homework!
As a parent, there can be your own fears. Your anxiety about the stress of it all. Breath. Take a step back. One day at a time. The readjustment will be there. You have done it previously. You can do it.
Transitions are not easy for anyone.
For those going away to college or university for the first time, a big adjustment for the whole family.
As the grandparent, I am here to help as best can be expected. Those PA will come along and I may be needed.
Transitions are hard for grandparents too. Seeing those little grandchildren growing up just too quickly. Enjoy the first weeks of school!
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BE LIKE A BUTTERFLY

Feeling like a butterfly these days as the cocooning occurring over the winter months is being shed. Trying to transition to more light and the thought of outdoor activities as the freedom of less outdoor wear. Still wearing good warm, waterproof boots and coat as the mornings are chilly. Butterflies are optimistic as metaphorically they are so symbolic of change. So what kind of butterfly would you be? I am just looking forward to seeing some Monarch Butterflies return to my garden again. Perhaps I'll look for butterfly images in the world. A quiet hope for all!!

NANA SAYS WELCOMING A NEW BABY TO THE FAMILY IS PRECIOUS

Welcoming a new baby to the family group is always a precious moment. As we lose people along the way, new life helps to keep the family going! New challenges for parents with older children. Helping siblings to adapt is a daily occurrence. Fortunately the new baby does not notice the older children are getting attention. The baby eats, sleeps, gets cuddled, can get rocked but does not worry Mommy and Daddy are helping the other children. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends can help with the transition. By watching the baby, Mommy can have a bath or shower. Taking the older children to events and giving some quality time can give the parens of the new baby some alone time! Babies are babies and lots of fun to have around family events! 

NANA SAYS BACK TO SCHOOL CAN BE MANAGED

Back to school brings some stress and anxiety for children and parents if one lets it happen. Transitions are always difficult but can be managed. There are tips and strategies and advice from the "experts" abounding right now. Turn on the TV and the discussion begins. So take a breath- remember it is just getting used to the same old routine. Two months ago, everyone stressed about planning for the summer. Yes August did include organizing the lessons for the year. But who said you needed to plan so much? Only put the amount of stress on yourself that you can handle and stop comparing what other parents are doing! Does your child need to do everything or can you priortize and take on some of the learning yourself. Power skating is great but does a four year need it or can you do some family recreational time, teaching the little one to skate! Remember the new school routine will be a routine in a week or two. There will be needed breaks in the school year. Let's face it-back to school is really a relief! The school day uses a huge chunk of time that parents do not have to plan. Perhaps it is the same reason so many lessons are planned. Someone else does the work while complaints are made about how busy, busy, busy one becomes! Let's face it there is a badge of honour about who can complain about being the busiest! I remember one year 5 days out of 7 had a lesson of some kind for my children. I realized that it was necessary to expose my children to a variety of activities but it was my choice! So with choices does come some commitment! So can less is more also be a choice and stop worrying about the other parents who are worried they want their children to have a leg up over your children. Back to school brings enough work for everyone! Can you plan activities and lessons around the needs of your own family rather than the competition of who does more? Remember I too did the lesson thing, the homework thing, made the lunches thing etc. When approached with some calm and constructive planning and breathing spaces it can be managed. The first week of school- well this too shall pass! Approach it with stress or just approach it as another transition that can be managed! Your choice!