Give Your Brain A Break
Clayton and I made a decision early on not to enroll Clara in preschool and kindergarten.
Instead of leaving her for 4-8 hours a day she’s attending three 45 minute classes in storybook theater, ballet and gymnastics.
While basking out in the sun yesterday during one of her classes I got to thinking about how well parents prepare their kids for a life of stress.
The first sure-fire way to get kids’ brains wired for stress is to enroll them in too many after-school activities. So they never come up for air. Especially when you add homework to the equation.
The second way is to eliminate unstructured playtime in favor of learning. Some parents begin to teach their fetus math and foreign languages. No kidding. Thing is, it works. But that doesn’t make it right.
Because imagination is suppressed and laughter fades away. Because somehow someone forgot along the way that babies aren’t adults.
When I was a kid, my three younger sisters and I would play in our large partly wooded back yard. My dad recorded us one day. You can hear four girls singing to each other instead of talking while we’re all characters in our own imaginary stories. It’s heartwarming and makes me smile.
Which brings me to the third way to indoctrinate a child into a life of stress. Keep them indoors most of the time. That’ll do it. Outdoor play is the most beautiful, creative experience in a child’s life.
Unfortunately the sun has gotten a bad rap for the past decade.
In reality, sunlight is not only good for you - those warm rays FEEL good. Their warmth penetrates deeply into your body. Want to sleep more soundly. Then catch some rays.
Overbudget your life takes the breath out of you. You always feel like you’re behind. Give yourself the time to unwind. Take a deep breath and recharge your brain cells. There’s never a good a time as Now.
Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French
P.S. Used to de-stressing in front of the teevee? Take a break one evening and give classical music a try. Not only will you notice a huge difference in how you feel, you’ll be hooked. Because one activates and fills up your mind with more clutter – and the other empties it and puts it into slow motion. An incredible experience.
Instead of leaving her for 4-8 hours a day she’s attending three 45 minute classes in storybook theater, ballet and gymnastics.
While basking out in the sun yesterday during one of her classes I got to thinking about how well parents prepare their kids for a life of stress.
The first sure-fire way to get kids’ brains wired for stress is to enroll them in too many after-school activities. So they never come up for air. Especially when you add homework to the equation.
The second way is to eliminate unstructured playtime in favor of learning. Some parents begin to teach their fetus math and foreign languages. No kidding. Thing is, it works. But that doesn’t make it right.
Because imagination is suppressed and laughter fades away. Because somehow someone forgot along the way that babies aren’t adults.
When I was a kid, my three younger sisters and I would play in our large partly wooded back yard. My dad recorded us one day. You can hear four girls singing to each other instead of talking while we’re all characters in our own imaginary stories. It’s heartwarming and makes me smile.
Which brings me to the third way to indoctrinate a child into a life of stress. Keep them indoors most of the time. That’ll do it. Outdoor play is the most beautiful, creative experience in a child’s life.
Unfortunately the sun has gotten a bad rap for the past decade.
In reality, sunlight is not only good for you - those warm rays FEEL good. Their warmth penetrates deeply into your body. Want to sleep more soundly. Then catch some rays.
Overbudget your life takes the breath out of you. You always feel like you’re behind. Give yourself the time to unwind. Take a deep breath and recharge your brain cells. There’s never a good a time as Now.
Warm Regards,
Tania Gabrielle French
P.S. Used to de-stressing in front of the teevee? Take a break one evening and give classical music a try. Not only will you notice a huge difference in how you feel, you’ll be hooked. Because one activates and fills up your mind with more clutter – and the other empties it and puts it into slow motion. An incredible experience.
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