One of the hardest things I’ve had to do as a parent is give my child space. My first instinct is to always swoop in, to talk about it, to fix it, to make it better. But sometimes all they really need is space.
Sometimes they need to wrap themselves in a fuzzy blanket cocoon on the couch and simply be there for a while. No talking, no fixing, no trying to make it better. Just some space and quiet.
Going back to school is a lot. Transitions are hard, no matter how many times we have gone through them before. There are earlier wake-ups and new faces, loud classrooms and different routines, plus homework and activities and new teachers.
It’s new and uncomfortable and challenging and exciting and frustrating and scary and exhausting.
Maybe they don’t want to talk about it all just yet. Maybe it doesn’t need fixing, but understanding. Maybe they just need some space.
The start of school has gone smoothly for my daughter but she has been quiet. Last night was the first time since school started that she opened up and was more talkative with me, and it was so fun to hear things about her class, her teacher, and friends. She seems comfortable and confident which makes my heart happy. I think her teacher this year is a good fit because she is a little stricter than her teacher last year it sounds like and maybe she can make my daughter tow the line better.
However every morning we have started the “I don’t want to go to school” whining. I am trying to give her grace and space to feel her feelings while also making it clear that she has to go to school. It is a delicate balancing act and I don’t think I can “fix” it. So I just try to be supportive and helpful to her in the mornings to make the transitions smoother.
Leave a Reply