Weekly Wellbeing
Positive Reflection
In the coming days, I will sit down to type my ‘Reid’s Review’ Christmas newsletter. I started this tradition 20 years ago. This makes me very old! The newsletter consists of a collage of photos and a summary of what has happened in our family throughout each year.
Over the years it has recorded house moves, career changes, sporting achievements, births, extended family news and (on very reflective years) insights gained and lessons learnt. It has been amazing to look back on the different newsletters over the years and be reminded of things that I often forget, like the funny things my children used to say, not to mention what we all used to look like!
Whether you write a Christmas newsletter, Christmas cards, post content on social media platforms, or choose not to write anything down, Christmas and the New Year often result in some kind of reflection. Initially when thinking about 2020, I assume that your mind (as mine automatically does) will remember the many struggles that you have endured. Struggles that no one ever envisaged. When this happens, and although very important to acknowledge and work through, I encourage you to move past the ‘struggle thoughts’ to the ‘victory thoughts.’
Thoughts of celebration that the children persevered during remote learning and have now reconnected with school staff and friends; thoughts of gratitude for the incredible work of the front line workers and the amazing health and communication systems that allowed us to stay informed and safe; thoughts of excitement that this Christmas we can connect with family and friends; and thoughts of pride as we reflect on the resilience that all of us have demonstrated to bounce back in spite of hardships.
There is so much to be positive about and thankful for this year. Maybe in the coming weeks, spend time positively reflecting with your family members and giving specific feedback to each of them about how you have seen them grow, understanding that it is often through times of challenge that we grow the most.
Change
Recently I had the privilege of facilitating two ‘transition to high school’ sessions with the Year 6 students. We had lots of fun as we explored what will be similar and what will be different at high school next year. We did a Mentimeter survey, where the students identified how they were feeling about going to high school.
The great thing about Mentimeter is that results appear ‘live’ on the screen and include all of the words that students type in. The more the students type the same word, the bigger it gets on the screen identifying how many people have typed the same word, or in this case, feel the same way. One word that loomed quite large was ‘anxious’. vIt was so good to ‘unpack’ the anxiety being felt in the room and to let the students know that it is normal to be anxious or worried.
The transition from Year 6 to Year 7 is obviously a big one, but next year all students will experience some change. They will go up a level and in some cases a section in the school. They will be in a new class, and have new teachers and aides. This is an exciting time, but can also be worrying. Children and those around them need to talk about worrying emotions in order to normalise them. Please find below some links to resources that you can explore that will help you support your child/children with transitions and change.
High School Transition – Reach Out
High School Transition – Kids Helpline
High School Transition – Raising Children
How to help your child cope with change positively – A Fine Parent (Article is part of the Positive Parenting FAQ’s series)
Helping children deal with change and stress – Bright Horizons
New Online Service Directory
Some recent photos – Love the smiles!
From the Wellbeing Team – Julie and Mia