December in the Playroom
With the arrival of snow finally upon us, the children have been coming into the playroom with new excitement and wonder. When the weather permits, we will be going to the side yard to play. There are snow men, snow angels and forts to be built. To encourage and allow for this outdoor snow play it’s important that the children have their mitts, boots and snow pants.
Cold noses and toes are a part of growing up. Let’s go out and play!
Music Circle
On Mondays at 11:30 a music therapist comes and leads parents and children in a ½ hour of singing and stories. Children learn songs, do a little dancing and make a lot of wonderful noise.
The 12 Holiday Gifts For You
Expectations can get us in trouble during the holiday season. Why is it that we somehow still hang onto the vision that we can suddenly transform the family into what we want during the holidays and all those old wounds, stories, and disappointments will shrink away when the bells start ringing and Santa’s sleigh starts flying? Unfortunately, we cannot change anyone but ourselves. We have to accept who our families are and decide for ourselves how to deal with this special time of year. Here are twelve reminders that could help if you are having difficulties sorting it out:
1. Keep your expectations of others at bay. If you have expectations, let them be for you and your own growth and learning.
2. Stop with aiming for external perfection and focus on the joy and allowing things and people to be what and who they are.
3. Remember you can’t control others or change them, so don’t even try. Relax.
4. Set healthy boundaries for yourself so you are doing what is right for you and allow others to deal with this in their own way. Don’t take it on! You are not
responsible for the feelings or reactions of others.
5. If you have triggers during the season and some past trauma comes up, embrace it and see it as a way to continue your growth and recovery.
6. Don’t “fake it till you make it,” but instead allow yourself to embrace all feelings this season and see them as an important part of you so that you can nurture
yourself and heal.
7. Give yourself the gift of self-care! Wrap that up in a great big box for you and only you! You’re on Santa’s “nice” list.
8. Worry less about gifts and more about loving those you love. They will remember the good times and the love more than any gift you will find them.
9. If you find yourself feeling sad and lonely, do something with it! Use the time to make a plan for recovery and finding new friends and support.
10. Allow your own authenticity to come alive and dance to the beat of your own drum while also being respectful of all the other beats out there!
11. If your family is too toxic and you feel it is healthier to stay away and do your own thing, do it. Don’t allow abuse of any kind.
12. If you don’t feel loved and cared about…start giving just what you want to yourself and start filling up your own tank with all the nurture you can muster. Do this
with self-compassion and your own form of spirituality.