Thursday, December 10, 2015

pre-preteenage stress

Last night, we didn't get home from dinner until 7:30 and Zoe had a lot of homework to still accomplish, but she was at the end of her rope.  She put a lot of pressure on herself to get it all finished and in the end I had to physically get her to move away from her homework and get ready for bed.. She was in bed by 8:15, but was crying and wanted me to leave her alone.. push me away, turning away, telling me to go.  But I could tell she needed me.  I stayed with her.  Quiet when I could, just sitting there.  Offering and giving massages despite half hearted refusals.  Identifying with moments when I was stressed, tired, and crying. In the end I gave her a visualization of the leaves falling from trees, walking amongst them, blowing one as it fell in front of her, to let if float higher, letting it fall to the ground, finding another.  Still crying, but settling, until she finally fell asleep.  In the morning she gave me a hug and apologized for giving me a hard time.  [Wow!]  I told her I understood and that we all have those moments, especially when we are both very tired and very stressed.

A glimpse of the future?  or perhaps we will have a handle on it?  I'm not sure.

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