Pulling In

There is a full moon coming folks. I don’t need a calendar to tell me, as my daughter is ruled by the cycles of the moon. She ebs and flows like the tides, it is really a beautiful thing.

To balance this shift in mood I plan our lessons around the phases of the moon. During the day before and after the full moon, I plan activities that can be met within a short amount of time while also allowing space for a deep dive if she feels connected. I make sure we have LOTS of outdoor time worked in, but with the flexibility to cut it short and come in for a snuggle. These days can be emotional rollercoasters for her, and it is times like this when it is so hard to pull her in. BUT it is exactly what she needs. What is needed is to find ways to pull her in that are gentle and inviting, because it is so easy for us adults to get sucked onto her emotional rollercoaster.

When children struggle, sometimes it feels easier to send to them to their room or to let electronics babysit through this bumpy road. And there are very rare times when distraction or distance are what is needed. But I believe what is typically needed is our love, our time, our attention and our patience.

So today we baked cookies, we made lunch together, we looked for signs of spring in our garden, and we read her favourite book of stories, Brambly Hedge, cover to cover, snuggling together. I pulled her in and helped her ride the waves of emotion with loving support and a grace that came from my prayers to the angels (hers and mine because wow, emotions!).

All this written down makes it sound like it was easy. Holding emotional space is anything but easy. This is where our own inner work is SO very important. We cannot hold space for our children if we are run by our impulses and emotions. We must stand in consciousness and objectivity, and meet their needs with a love so solid it surrounds them in light. It is what we carry within our hearts that will keep a day steady or turn the day around. Things that help me are to make sure I’ve planned well for our days and handle any bumps with grace and levity. I also make sure I’m well rested and ready to meet each day with a fresh perspective. And finally, I visualize my intention for the day before going to sleep the night before as well as upon waking up. That simple one minute act can really help hold space through the day because even when things don’t go as planned, I can still feel the echoes of my vision and strive to hold on to the threads.

All that said, you can bet your bottom dollar I’m counting the hours to my bedtime 😂 I’m exhausted!!