Peace

Summer 2010, Lifeprints by Nadine

Do you have a child who needs peace?

This is a hard thing to need when you are in the smack middle of a family of 6.  My oldest daughter is wired so much like her father...they are built the same physically (long torsos, square shoulders), are both introverts (neither of them minds being along for long stretches of time), and both have a "slow to warm" approach to life (they like to observe first).  These are all great things they are different needs from any of my other children.  As she has begun kindergarten this year it has become so clear that many days when she comes home she is in need of quiet space and time to herself.

She shows me this by letting the little things become big things, by snapping at all of us, and especially by lashing out at her brothers.  These are my cues to help her understand that while she doesn't need a "time out" punishment, she does need a time out to help her body and mind calm down.  I usually have her go to her room and shut the door.  She usually ends up cleaning her room - she loves to organize, I think she finds it cathartic.  When she comes out she is refreshed a new little person -

Do you have a little one in your life that clearly needs a peaceful space / time in their day?
How do you help them carve this out?
If this is you in your home, how do you help create a little peace for yourself?