How to Start Each Day

Today I was thinking about “getting through” the rough times. Things at my house have settled down a bit as almost 15 years have passed now. But it hasn’t been so long that I can’t remember those days when I thought I might not make it…or someone in my house might not make it. (if you know what I mean – wink, wink) Honestly, there were days, well months, okay…years when the challenges were choking the life out of me. I could say, I am not sure how I made it, but I have done a lot of looking back and I have no doubt about how I made it…and the NUMBER ONE thing I chose to do was to start each day with a CLEAN SLATE.

Yes, there were lots of days when it was much easier said than done; however, the choice was always there and I knew it was key in our survival! Did you catch that…starting over each day, each hour or even each minute IS a choice!  A choice that can save your sanity, your relationship with your child and your ability to have hope for the future. 

Here are some "starting fresh" tips…

• Breathe
  
• Get enough sleep
  
• Talk to someone who gets it
  
• Remind yourself that you are a good Mom or Dad…then forgive yourself 
  
• Remind yourself of who your whole child is…gifts and talents, deficits, impacts of trauma, grief and loss, etc….forgive your child
  
• Write down 3 hopes for your child
  
• Now breathe again and GO FOR IT 

Getting through the rough times can be a daunting task. You CAN do this. You don’t have to be perfect at it. Your child doesn’t have to heal overnight. You both have this great opportunity…start each day on a new slate. Give yourself the gift, and give the same gift to your child. The number one tool to use in the rough times…Start New as often as needed!