Parents
All
You are the reason they make you proud
Now that we just talked about how your child can help Alzheimers, dementia, and LBD Lets talk about how you can help. I know throwing another project on your plate is like scheduling a baseball game and dance class at the same time but we lead by example right? If you have a friend or family member going through memory loss visit them. It’s an hour or two our of your week buy an event for them. They love that. Now if you are one of the lucky ones that don’t need to worry about a person with memory care issues please raise awareness. Families like me need your help. Take a facility some coffee for the nurses and family or a snack. Write a letter just letting us know your thinking of us. Walk or donate at one of the many organizations that are trying to find the cure for these illnesses or at least trying to slow it down. A minute of your day to makes will mean a beautiful moment to one of us.
It’s ok
Your strong, wonderful, amazing. How do I know? Your a parent and so am I. If we don’t remind ourselves who we were before kids how do we expect our kids to find themselves? Your funny, loving, emotional and all of those are great qualities to show your children. Kids are born with feelings and only grow out of them when we tell them to stop feeling for one reason or another. Granted I’m not saying that you don’t teach them how to control it I’m just saying let them experience life and have fun.
Breathe
Yoga, cleaning your house, going on a date, running, taking a bath whatever your thing is that relaxes you, DO IT!!!! Breathe. Meditate, go out to your car and scream, go hug a dog. Just Breathe. You got this.
Unplug
You wonder why your child is on their phone at the dinner table or while watching a movie? You shouldn’t if your always on your phone or computer. I know how hard it is to not look at my phone when it pings. I know how hard it is to not work on the weekends or when you get home from work. If you have kids your justification is that your doing it for them. You know what they want??? Time with you…. Sit with that. What does a day look like without your phone? Will the world end? Will your boss get mad? No probably not. Why? The world was not made around your phone, and your boss is your boss because they found the secret of a work and life balance that makes them happy and confident. Try a week of coming home and putting your phone away with your keys and a weekend of no electronics. It’s breathtaking and life changing.
Family
Families are all different. It doesn’t matter if you adopted, gave birth, foster, or even brought a child in for any other reason, Your family is unique and you know what’s best. Your sometimes going to feel like the worst parent in the world because of something that happened. It’s how you deal with it that’s going to make you the best. When your child is young and they do something wrong get down to their level and tell them why. When your child is a teen and they want to go to the party and you don’t want them to tell them why. Explaining things to your child is the best way to keep your communication door open with them. They may not always agree but being honest with them is the respect they deserve. If you can’t think of a good reason of why its not ok then maybe you should take a step back and trust that your child will do what’s right. Especially teens. Remember once your child turns sixteen they have two more years with you. Would you rather spend that time fighting and still saying no or guiding and helping them grow? The choice is your ultimately but I hope you will pick the path of Inspiring Your Child.