Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” is one of the Art Institute of Chicago’s better-known pieces. It was featured in the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and was the inspiration for Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George.” It uses the technique of pointillism– up close to the canvas you can see individual dots of color, but from a distance the scene of people enjoying a park unfolds.
When faced with parenting challenges, how many times do we find ourselves standing too close to the canvas, unable to see the bigger view? Every child is different, and our initial strategies to help our kids navigate developmental milestones may be hitting a brick wall. If we remember to step back and observe the scene as a whole, we can refresh our perspective. By re-establishing our priorities and goals and “re-booting” our parenting energies, we’ll be able to see the forest for the trees.
How to re-boot? Parents need to take personal breaks to maintain sanity and nurture who we are as people. Moms and Dads should ensure that they have an outlet, an activity or hobby unrelated to parenthood or their careers that nourishes the inner spirit and rejuvenates them for engaging and caring for children. Look at a typical week’s schedule and see where your personal protected time can be squeezed in. Even the busiest of us can use creativity to unearth 30 minutes, 3 times a week for this purpose. Enlist the help of your spouse, family, friends, or sitters to make it happen. Also consider waking up earlier than the family, or utilize the magical time between the kids’ bedtime and your bedtime. Meeting our own needs helps us properly care for others, just as when an airplane’s cabin pressure drops and passengers are instructed to put their own oxygen mask in place before helping their children.
As for the activity, it’s yours to decide. For me, running has become my mental refuge since the birth of our 4th child; even a 20-minute run has great benefits squeezed into a short amount of time, perfect for our hectic family schedule. My husband and I work together to “cover” for one another, protecting each other’s time on a weekly basis. Whether you exercise, are an avid photographer, scrapbooker, gardener, or love to experiment in the kitchen with new recipes, make an effort to set aside time each week to pursue your passions. Your family will be rewarded with a refreshed parent who has the “big picture” in mind.
1 comment:
Absolutely! Good advice. I get out of the house every month for a "girls night out." It's usually at a friend's house where we eat a great dinner (everyone brings a dish) and just talk for hours. It's very theraputic.
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