Updated: Jun 4, 2020
Click here to listen to episode 30 of the Practically Speaking MOM: Intentional Mom, Strong Family Podcast, by Val Harrison, "Putting the Pieces Together - Parenting in Crisis."
In this episode we look at Essentials in Parenting in Crisis as well as the first three steps on a ladder that I describe as a Child's Hierarchy of Needs to Reach God's Will for their life both daily and long term.
For the first few minutes of episode 30, I share some thoughts about celebrating Holy Week (Easter/Resurrection Sunday) as a family, Here's a link by Jelly Telly, for helping younger kids with this concept, JellyTelly Link. And here's a Link to Val's 2019 Easter Blog post
1. Speak up - Let those who care about you support you. They may provide prayer, a listening ear, network for resources, or be able to identify resources they personally have that could help your situation. God's rescue often comes in the form of a person. Don’t’ rob people of the blessing of being a blessing.
2. Make a list – reduce your load by transferring all your worries and thoughts onto paper. This will help you begin an on-going to-do list about your situation, as well. The act of writing it down moves the burden from your mind (a part of your body) to the paper (something separate from you). I can't tell you how many times the simple act of making a list has brought me much needed relief. It is like I have transferred the burden from me physically and emotionally when I placed the content of my mind on the paper. Writing it does take the pressure off of me to remember all the details. It makes the plan seem more manageable also.
3. Be honest with your family and let them productively brainstorm, helping you divide the to-do list into four categories: A. Do it (This is the list of things that ONLY YOU can do.) B. Delegate it (What can the other family members do? What about other people who love your family or are connected to your family or who provide a specific service? Mom, you do want to keep a list of the obligations that have been delegated so that you can followup. It's a Delegated List). C. Dump it (Sometimes even good things need to be reduced, especially when you're in crisis). D. Leave UnDone and handle it with prayer -"God, give me Passion for YOUR purposes in my day and Peace about the things that you don't want me to get done"
Your children should not partner with you in the burden of the crisis, but can help in the brainstorming and implementing of a plan, if they are old enough and capable.. You might be surprised at the creative solution ideas they have, the compassion they will display, and the bonding it can bring to tackle a problem together as a team. Your children will be more on board with the solution when they help to create it. Not all family decisions are supposed to be a group decision or group plan, but you might be surprised in what your kids are capable of and how much they may even enjoy being a part of the solution.
Working on a SOLUTION together teaches them important life lessons:
* In crisis we neither panic nor ignore the problems. We don't retreat; we face reality with clarity of mind (at least, that's the goal).
*We make a realistic action plan, dividing the responsibilities and working together.
*Our action plan includes eliminating some activities or expenses that we normally are used to participating in because short term adjustments in our routine may be a necessary part of relief. *Accepting help is not a sign of weakness. It shows that we are part of a loving community. We are capable of both giving to others in their time of need and receiving from others in our time of need.
