It's not only children whose daily lives are transformed by the return to school each fall. Adults are also affected by the changing rhythms of family life.
As readers of The Principles know, I believe any time of change is an opportunity for reexamination and growth. Here are some ideas to ensure you get as much out of this school year as your kids do.
Take Pleasure in Routines
Although kids enjoy the lazy days of summer, you have probably noticed that they grudgingly admit to being excited about returning to school. That particular mix of excitement and dread is one that we are all familiar with when breaks come to an end and we return to our routines.
Most of life is made up of routines and rituals, and there is great comfort to be taken in them...if we allow ourselves. Do you stop by the same coffee shop every day on your way to work and say hello to the person at the counter?
Do you look forward to eating the same sandwich for lunch every day? Perhaps you carefully select the same treadmill each time you go to the gym? There is pleasure to be had in times of stability and, rather than feeling like I am in a rut, I try to recognize that these daily routines are the things that make life feel manageable.
The Importance of Private Time
Those of us fortunate enough to have family and friends to keep us company sometimes feel guilty when we crave private time. As the kids go back to school and embark on new after-school activities, adults are given a much-needed rest from constantly being with them.
I firmly believe that the best parents (or friends or spouses) are those who have a rich private life that includes interests outside of the family. Rather than feeling any guilt, revel in the greater private time that the school year affords as it will reinvigorate your emotional health.
Quality vs. Quantity In Family Time
If families have less time together during the school year, it is vital to make the most of that time. August may lend itself to lazy evenings watching television but September calls for more interaction to make up for fewer hours together.
Turning off the television increases the likelihood of the meaningful interaction that can keep communication going during those rare dinners together. Planning a family outing, even if it is a quick walk in the neighborhood, makes the weekend more than a time to catch up on sleep. Quality really is more important than quantity when it comes to family time.
Emotional and spiritual health has a huge impact on physical health. As you watch your children go back to school full of dreams and ambition, I would encourage you to renew your commitment to a healthy life for mind, body, and soul.
The Principles
by Patrick Moore
Available now on Lulu.com, Amazon.Com, and BarnesandNoble.com.