After hearing the horrific news of the Sandy Hook shootings, parents and teachers across America are left with the difficult decision of how to handle this tragedy with their children. We want to offer a few thoughts as people are making this difficult decision in schools, households, and in the community.
Help our kids process Sandy Hook
As adults with fully formed brains, we are able to contextualize the events in a timeline that helps insulate us from what we call secondary traumatization. Subconsciously (or sometimes consciously) we remind ourselves that we are safe, that this kind of thing happens rarely, or that we believe in the good of most people to help or rescue if there was a problem. However, children are not developmentally able to do that.
The Importance of Collaboration
We need to collaborate. We cannot help but collaborate. This is why we have offices, friends, family, business associates, Facebook, and Twitter. We are connected to others. In this world of connectedness, when was the last time you experienced intentional collaboration?
Families and the Holidays
Have you ever noticed how different family members handle the holidays? Some are very open and receptive to family getting together and enjoying one another’s time. They enjoy reminiscing about previous time spent with one another, and the hope of new and even happier holiday events resounds with them. However, not all individuals see the holidays as joyous. For those folks past holidays may recreate bad or unhappy memories which are hard to escape.
Supporting a Winning Team
So often we get so enthused to watch our favorite team, especially when they’re doing well. We cheer them on emphatically and always are hoping they’ll make it to the playoffs. Year after year we expect them to be as good, if not better, than the year before. It’s so easy to support them when they’re winning, but how about when things aren’t going so well? Do we continue to have the same high energy and confidence for them? So it can be with our relationships.
Emotional Vampires and Changing Weather
As the summer turns to fall and fall brings winter, those of us in southern states are constantly reminded of change. When we leave for work in the morning, we need sufficient warmth of a strong cup of coffee and a thick coat and by noon we are taking off the layers and sporting our short sleeved shirts and ready for a cold drink to cool us down. Weather patterns in our region can be frustrating and unpredictable.
My Teen Would Never…Cheat!
What do you think your teen would do if you were not watching? Many parents hope their teens would make good decisions, but what do you think would really happen?
How Do I Move On?
It isn’t easy just to move on after a lasting relationship. There are many memories, both good and bad, that play in one’s mind. We can tell ourselves that we’re strong and although that person was meaningful in our life, given enough time, we can get past them. But the question is still how do I move on?
Green with Envy: Job Jealousy
Maybe you have these kinds of conversations you have in your head: I can’t believe he/she is working at (fill in the blank _____). I would love to be doing (fill in the blank _____________). Pay attention to your jealousy because it contains an element of truth.
Gravitational Pull
Susan Cain provides career advice that is helpful to both introverts and extroverts in the book, Quiet. She suggests paying attention to the gravitational pull that attracts you to some kinds of work. The opposite is worth paying attention to also; what kinds of jobs do you dislike?