As the new school year begins, parents all over are gearing up for another transition. Whether your kids are in public, private or homeschooled – there is going to be an adjustment period that can be a challenge. It can also be a very exciting time and a wonderful opportunity to prioritize family self-care.
This year, I invite you to focus on your entire family’s self-care as we get back into our fall routines. As a big fan of systems to help keep me and my family moving and grooving, I will share my signature WAVE system to support yours too. Through WAVE: Well-being, Awareness, Vision and Energy we can ensure that our families are supported and prepared for the coming months ahead.
Well-Being
Well-being is the foundation of all self-care. Taking some time before the summer is over to reflect and prioritize what that means for you and your family is a great place to start! As parents, overwhelm and stress can feel normal – yet taking some time to prioritize wellness will support you and your family so much. Often times this first step is the hardest and once we take it the rest can fall into place.
Create some family exercise or routine you can do like taking a morning stroll together or maybe even certain days you walk or bike to school.
Encourage communication in your home to allow each family member to have a voice that is heard.
Create calming bedtime routines that support everyone getting good rest – adding in some calming breathing or family meditation can help too!
Awareness
This involves parents to take a look in the mirror both physically and mentally to be active and present in your kids lives. (As well as your own). So many parents come to me after they are so burnt out and don’t know how to bring any kind of self-care into their lives. I fully understand as a parent how difficult it can feel to make yourself a priority and also know how vital it is for the whole family.
Grab a calendar that the family can all see. Put important dates and also fun ones that everyone can see and know what’s going on.
Make a list together of any goals, yearly or monthly to keep each other accountable and supported.
Do some outreach. Parent groups, activities for your kids – start to see what groups and communities you’d like to be a part of this year. Remember – you are not alone.
Vision
This is all about creating clarity for a roadmap to success. Taking some time as parents to evaluate and look over the year ahead is a great place to start.
Family rituals: Create some fun family rituals that give everyone a chance to take steps towards the bigger vision. This can look like a special family outing, weekly check ins or even a daily gratitude practice – in our home we do a rose and thorn or what did we learn and how did we have fun each day.
Paint a picture of the things you are looking forward to this new school year, practice a visualization exercise and set some intentions for the year ahead.
Energy
This is your action steps. Energy is everything, its within and around us at all times. How we show up each day will play a part of the whole. And as a family it is important we can all work as a team especially when navigating new routines.
Create space for your family. This is one myself and many others find difficult. As much as we’d like to say yes to all the things, make sure you are creating space for your family to have some relaxation and bond.
Find the activities that work for YOUR family. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, the best parenting advice I’ve ever received or given is do what works for YOUR family. 🙂
Remember to map out time for the adjustment period back to school.
Eat nourishing foods, move your body and spend time together. Family is the base foundation for our wellness.
Most of all – remember this is a new year – lots of exciting times ahead. And each child and parent will feel their own feelings. Let’s come together and honor ourselves and each other. Be kind and make this year ahead a beautiful one!
By Jaime McFaden. For more tips on self-care and to sign up for one of my live events make sure you join my newsletter jaimemcfaden.com. Do the WAVE Heading Into the New School Year.
Happy Back to School!
