Chaplain's Message

The Importance of Self-Care

Rev Janet Woodlock

I am honoured and delighted to be the new chaplain at Kilvington. It is a wonderful school.

As Chaplain, I see my role as caring for the wellbeing of the whole School community. At the staff commencement service, I shared the biblical principle: 'Love your neighbour as you love yourself'.

These are two sides of the one coin. It’s hard for teachers to care well for students when they are stressed, exhausted, or sick. They need to love themselves, as well as their students. Likewise, the wellbeing of parents has a huge impact on children and teens.

Every plane trip involves the safety announcement: 'please put on your own oxygen mask before helping others'. If cabin pressure drops suddenly at 35,000 feet, we only have half a minute or so of useful consciousness! This is a pretty good metaphor when it comes to self-care for teachers and parents. Put on your own metaphorical oxygen mask, and you’ll be in a good position to support well those in your care.

I believe there are at least three reasons why 'loving yourself' is particularly important for parents:

• First of all – Who WANTS to go through life stressed, miserable, lonely, or anxious? Who wants to be chronically tired, unfit, or unhealthy? 
• Secondly –  Parents are the most significant role model in a child’s life. The behaviours of parents are normalised for their children. Who WANTS their children to grow up and become stressed, miserable, lonely or anxious adults? Who WANTS their children to grow up to be chronically tired, unfit, or unhealthy, as a result of their role modelling?
• Thirdly – Anxiety tends to be contagious. This link explains how anxiety from one person can impact every member of a family. One of the most protective things we can do for our children’s wellbeing is to endeavour to be calm, principled, and well-balanced ourselves.

Of course, life can become extremely difficult for reasons that are out of our control. In a diverse community like Kilvington, some families will be thriving, while others will be struggling with huge challenges.

Most of us, however, can take one more step toward greater wellbeing. What might that look like for you this year? Please find some simple suggestions here. 

I wish you and your families a VERY happy and healthy year.