It’s been 6 long months since our country, and ultimately our world, declared a global pandemic and Governor Dewine announced that schools were closing. We finished out the year learning remote. It wasn’t easy, but we did it! Summer looked so different from other summers, but we definitely made the best of it and still had a lot of fun.
Back to School
As the school year was approaching, there was so much uncertainty. I went back and forth until the absolute last minute about sending my kiddos back to school or choosing online learning. I struggled because I wasn’t sure how the rollercoaster schedule would be for my kids and I was concerned with how they would handle the all day mask wearing.
My middle son has struggled with pretty severe anxiety for the last several years. He has worked so so hard to manage his emotions and learn to cope with how he feels on a daily basis. We have added many tools to his toolbox over the years and although I was extremely reluctant to send him back, everyone who has worked closely with him all strongly encouraged me to send him back.
So, I took the plunge. I opted for in person learning. Day one came, I put my 6th, 3rd and Kindergartner on the bus, in masks, and then cried for the next 2 hours. Did I do the right thing? Will they feel safe? What will wearing a mask daily do to them long term? Will they feel empowered to speak their mind with a mask on? The questions just reeled through my mind. As they got off the bus and I saw the smiles on their face and listened to their endless chatter about their days, I thanked God for protection my babies that day. I have asked Him to protect their hearts during this time and I would say he did just that. Every day has become an adventure and I don’t think there is any right answer, but right now we are making the best of being in school, for however long or short that might be.
Parenting through a Pandemic?!
Nothing about this pandemic has been easy as a parent if you ask me. Parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual and with the craziness that COVID has brought, it certainly hasn’t helped reassure me that the decisions I am making for my family are the right ones. All we want is for our kids to be happy, feel safe and loved. I am sure I am not the only mom that just wants to kiss the boo-boo’s away and protect her kiddos for all the world’s disappointments. Unfortunately, these kids have had to learn about real life issues and grow up a little more than they had during previous times in life. Although I think life lessons are being learned, that doesn’t mean that their isn’t a lot of stress or anxiety not knowing exactly what each day might bring.
One of the biggest tools that has helped my son who has struggled with anxiety, and one that we all now do as a family, is practicing calming breathing. You can find lots of different breathing techniques out there. To simplify it, just practice taking 5-10 deep breaths multiple times a day. Doing this while you are feeling “like your normal self” will actual help you put it into practice for when your body is feeling stressed or anxious.
Sometimes it is easy to start with something concrete, so putting your hand on your belly to feel your breath, using a twirling pinwheel to blow your breath out and see it move etc. We came across a super cool device that my son has been using over this summer that he really loves.
CalmiGo
CalmiGo is a natural, portable, drug-free solution that can be used during upsetting moments, anxiety attacks…truly any stressful situation. It is an effective and unique solution that can be used for immediate relief and have long-term effectiveness.
How Does It Work?
The lights and vibration feedback guide you, effortlessly helping you regulate your breath according to your unique abilities and needs at the moment. As a result, the gases in your blood are balanced and the system in your brain responsible for relaxation is activated. What Grayson really likes about it is that he can see the little squares on the device lighting up while he is blowing out his breath. It gives him something to focus on so if he is using it while he is feeling anxious, it gives him something to focus on which can, in turn, relax him.
It also contains a lavender scent that you can smell while you are doing your breathing exercises. This serves two purposes: activating parts of the nervous system, inducing mind and body relaxation; additionally, removing the cover activates a psychological and physiological response, creating a calming effect before even turning on the CalmiGo. We love using essential oils in our house so this was a huge plus for me. Grayson loves the smell of it!
Who should use CalmiGo?
I think this would be great for anyone! I don’t know about you, but I don’t typically feel anxious, but this pandemic has had my emotions all over the place. I love using the Breath reminder on my apple watch, but a lot of times I am busy and will just dismiss it. Having something in my hand, like CalmiGo, has forced me to take that minute or two to really focus on my breathing and trying to relax my body and mind.
Overall, I think now more than ever, we need to find ways to create times in our day when we are focused on practicing mindfulness, meditation or relaxing techniques that work for us. I have been trying to incorporate them into our evening routine because it not only teaches my kids life long skills on how to accept and understand their emotions, but also forces me to take the time to recenter myself which I have desperately needed these days!
I hope that you all have been taking time for yourselves these days and no matter what you are doing with your kiddos this school year, know that you are doing an amazing job!! These are very difficult times and we must be each others biggest cheerleaders!
I would love to know how you relax and positive ways you have found to handle the stress that life is throwing our way these days.
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