Self-Care for Your Family
The excitement of returning to school this fall has been both energizing and exhausting for students, families, and staff. Reopening a school amidst a global pandemic is no easy feat but, ultimately, is the best thing for our students. You might find yourself feeling worried or anxious by things outside the scope of your control. These feels are normal for both adults and children, but it is imperative we all take the time to practice self-care and allow ourselves to maintain our physical and mental health.
Often, emotional well-being is a foreign concept to children. They may act out, throw tantrums, or even give you the silent treatment. Establishing a self-care routine for both you and your child will benefit the whole family. Practicing self-care will give your child additional tools to regulate and express their emotions in a healthy way. You may even learn some new ways to unwind too!
Here are four easy self-care routines you and your family can establish together!
- Get Active
Whether it is a mini-dance party in your living room, yoga on the lawn, or a plunge into the pool on a hot day, engaging in physical activity isn’t only great for your physical health but your mental health as well. Exercise of any kind, not just high intensity workouts at the gym, release endorphins and trigger a positive feeling in the body.
- Journaling
Taking time to write down what happened throughout the day encourages us to cope with negative experiences and celebrate positive ones. Journaling is especially good for children because they are in a sensitive period of development and it supports them in acknowledging their feelings and problem-solving.
- Nap Together
Sleep helps us feel energized, aids in de-stressing, and gives our mood a boost. Most people, especially parents, do not get enough sleep. Establishing a quick 30-minute nap in the afternoon will not only help you feel refreshed but allows you to bond with your child. Children love to sleep with their parents because it gives them a sense of closeness and safety.
- Make Time Reserved for Family
Many of us are guilty of taking our work home with us. Whether it is responding to an email after work hours or going into the office to work on a project during the weekend, these things add stress to our lives. Sometimes working outside of work hours is necessary, but by establishing a strict “family time” during the week ensures we commit to building relationships with our loved ones. Strengthening your relationship with your child will help them feel more secure in an ever-changing world.
End of the school year! 2020
What an unusual ending to our school year! Our remote learning is up and running for the majority of our student body and a limited number of primary students have attended class on campus. Despite all of this upheaval, the essence of the FMS community is seen in all of the interactions among the faculty, students, and parents. We have not lost sight of the values of integrity, clarity, and the drive to create and deliver meaningful educational experiences for our students. Without the daily contact that our student body thrived on, we have learned to rely on technology to bridge that gap. It has worked admirably well, but the personal contact is sorely missed. We realize how much is communicated in the simplicity of a smile, in person.
Our hearts were touched by the family car parade held at school on May 16th. It revealed the depth and breadth of support from our families and the momentum we have to preserve and recreate our collective experiences. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the educational needs of our students, and look forward to a renewed vigor and strength of our community in the fall.
Have a safe, healthy and restful summer.
Greetings
Greetings FMS students and families! As we adjust to our new way of staying home and being mindful of the part each one of us plays in helping our community stay healthy, we also want to share our deepest intent of nurturing and supporting our FMS family. We are in uncharted territory and the need to stay focused on what matters most is an important challenge for each of us.
We are complex, social mammals (ask your child “ what makes a mammal a mammal?”) and the need for contact, reassurance, and sustained interaction is a vital emotional and psychological need for all of us. We have certainly felt the immediate pullback of physical contact with each one of you, yet the heartfelt connection we know between us is strong and growing. The value we place on each student (and their families) is in clear sight of each teacher and administrator at FMS (including our direct reports at Endeavor, our parent company). We know the health and well being of every student, their family, and the FMS staff, along with their families, matters most to the long term well being, productivity, and growth of Foothills Montessori School. We are committed to this vision and offer our professional experience, hope, and action towards this noble aim.
