Living in Captivity by Rebekka Helford, LMFT
Parenting our children, ourselves, & humanity
There comes a time in all children's lives when they must do something new, unexpected, tricky, and even a little daunting: learn to use the potty. I'll save a longer discussion on the ins and outs (pun very much intended) of this task for another post, and instead share with you several of my favorite books for children on the subject.
Humans have largely lost their villages, replacing them with screens and the stories they tell. To update the old saying, it takes a village to raise both children and parents alike. Who - or what - is in your village?
The season of giving is upon us, for certain, but the spirit of generosity is alive and well year-round. As parents and caregivers, we can help our children as they experience all kinds of feelings, among them the joy that comes from authentic generosity. When we strengthen their hearts and souls, we strengthen our own in turn.
Sometimes, appreciating a tasty meal or some fantastic glue is enough to make us feel a little less alone, and to remind us of the time when we were once cared for, sheltered, and held by the very gods themselves.
Don't have a plan. Put away your phone. Heck, don't even take off your pajamas. And if you run out of stuff to do, may I recommend an expedition to your local drugstore?
