Wellbeing Officer

Hello lovely families!

It has been truly beautiful to see all of your amazing children enjoying being back together again. What a great week we had last week!

I thought that I would jump straight into something that I have been struggling with at home over the past couple of weeks…. some boundary setting. Mostly around screen time.

Very often our children challenge the rules and boundaries we put in place. My children have been no exception to this. I speak particularly of screen time, and my current battle with master 11. I have relaxed a little since schooling has been at home, as games and chats online have been our only source of socialisation with the outside world. But as time has gone on, he has wanted more screen time…and when I have tried to reign it in, well, that's when conflicts and arguments arise...😥

What to do!? 

What I USUALLY do, is explain. 

"You can't watch so much TV, it's not good for you." “We need to have less online game time because it important to do other things and to have balance…”

I'm always explaining WHY we have these rules and limitations in place in our family. I explain WHY he can't have more screen time, or WHY she can't own a mobile phone when all of her friends have mobile phones, or WHY they can't have another sweet treat from the pantry…

Blah blah blah….I explain and explain like a broken record... and the conflict doesn't go away... and it feels like they don’t get it!

But that is because I’ve actually forgotten what matters here.

The most important thing is NOT to get them to understand my logical and infallible reasoning. My job, is to help them to understand their emotions and feelings about these rules, AND to show them that I understand.

When I stop and take time to understand their feelings, I get it! I’m learning to say, 

"Hey buddy, I know this is so hard. You really want to keep playing that game online with your friend. It's so so hard to hear "NO" when you REALLY want to. I get that. I really do." 

If the situation needs it, I can offer a hug, let them cry and express their strong feelings. They need to know what they feel is actually okay.  As time goes on, our kids learn that they are welcome to show how they feel about the rules and boundaries.  And I, as their sturdy leader, am there to listen, understand, and hold my ground.

Warm regards,

Kathryn. 

Wellbeing Officer

P.S. The Caring Casseroles rotation is a group of parents who are willing to make meals on a rolling roster type system so that when a family in our community is in need, then a lovingly prepared meal can be delivered to them to make their lives that little bit easier for a day.  And we have need in our community right now!

If you or your child has a heart for others, and you enjoy being able to care in a practical way, then this is a great chance for you to be a part of a great team to do just that!

All you need to do, is express your interest and I’ll put you on the rolling roster to cook a meal every now and then.  We can then pop it in the school freezer ready to give at the appropriate time. It would be fantatsic to get this up and running for the remainder of the year.

If this sounds like you and/or your child could please let me know as soon as possible.

Warmest regards,

Kathryn  

Wellbeing officer

CARING CASSEROLES PROGRAM

Please include my name in the rotation for the caring casserole support program at Weeden Heights Primary School:

Name:_____________________________________________________

Contact Number:__________________________________________________

Child at WHPS: ____________________________________  Class: ________