It's no secret that our kids are facing stress & anxiety, they might not be receptive to a candle (nor is that safe) but a tee, tank or sweater is a great way to remind kids to take a breath.
Growing up in the '70s, in the era of the safari suit, The Don Lane Show, no seat belts, and the dinner parties with prawn cocktails & Moscato, as kids we knew that we were to be seen and not heard.
We had lots of fun with our family friends, shared birthdays, holidays & sunburn and it seems, looking back, there was one rule for parenting.
It was a one size fits all situation, manners were bible, we ate everything on our plate, we didn't answer back and we did what we were told.
If we got into trouble, did the wrong thing, acted out, or answered back, it was because we were naughty and were usually punished ie sent to our rooms. Depending on the incident was discussed again, an apology was necessary or it was not spoken of again.
Now being in a new century, 4 decades later, so much has changed. Some good & some not so. The world is moving at a much faster pace and we have to run to keep up.
The rules around parenting have also changed. Our children are seen as individuals, they have a voice and are allowed to be heard. We are more aware if a situation is not quite right and have more tools available to help us.
Teaching our kids to communicate, to understand that they are being heard, to know that they have different feelings, different emotions, to know that not everyone is going to like them or vice versa.
Leading by example is a great way for us to educate & show our kids that it's ok not to like crowds, its ok to not to want to go to the party, taking deep breaths or sitting in our own space can help calm our nerves/and or anxiety.
Just like us, the kids will need reminding that its ok to take time out, so let's give them a little nudge with their very own Me Time tee.