Middle-School Crisis
This middle-school crisis is a story of corruption, greed, negligence, and power concerning the ramifications on the youth involved. Our school district has been in crisis mode for the past few years (that we are aware of), with the assortment controversies. With the use of free speech, the general public has since learned about dangerous secrets and misrepresentation from past administrations. Forcing the new one to clean up the mayhem. I won’t go into all the details involved but think along the lines of the nepotism going on in the most significant administration in the USA-although on a smaller scale. There always seems to be someone with something to gain while others suffer. Our most recent issue has brought about the safety of the people who inhabit a few of the older buildings in the district. Supposedly (we are still waiting for the proof), they found asbestos and lead and abruptly closed the three schools involved. After quick remediation of 2 of the buildings, they reopened within two days. The third, however, will not be opening. Confusion in Middle-School This middle school housed 900 sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students and a large staff. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of that week, the school operated as usual. Wednesday night, a robocall went out stating there would be no school on Thursday, without a mention for a reason. With each day getting another call about no school- for one week. Between media, social media, parents, staff, and all of the children, the rumors were flying. The anxiety of everyone involved has grown to a new level and created more questions than answers throughout the district. Even taxpayers without children are up in arms over this. Rightfully so! Some of you may be wondering why we are upset about keeping our children safe from horrible contaminants like asbestos and lead; there is more to the story. This particular building is worth a lot of money and in high demand. Could, would our administration use this potentially rectifiable issue to sell out? That’s for another blog. For now, we will focus on the kids. For the Sake of the Kids In the meantime, we have approximately 1300 people living in limbo, plus the parents of those children. Where and what do you do with children, unexpectedly? They are between 11 and 14 years old, caught between being a child and adolescent. Not all are emotionally ready to be home alone and make the right decisions. Parents can’t wait for the phone call until the last minute to decide how to juggle working and care for their offspring. One of the solutions that the district may consider is to split the 900 students between two overpopulated schools. Putting some teachers on leave and arranging for the principle and vice principle to work between the two schools. If they hadn’t found an equal number of problems with one of the schools, maybe the parents wouldn’t be as upset. Although not enough problems to shut it down and create another middle-school crisis. A complication from this plan is that kids at this age can be territorial, bossy, and just plain mean. With the parameters in place to protect kids from bullying, there’s bound to be a few antagonizers. These kids play sports against each other as rivals, and now we want them to coexist. I’m not condoning this; I’m merely pointing out the facts. Young Teens in Middle-School Crisis To be more conscious of what is going on in the middle-schoolers brain, let us dive deeper. It’s certainly a period I wouldn’t want a do-over. Young tweens and teens are: a hormonal hot mess building their tribe-learning where they fit it and severing some past ties insecure about their physical self submit to peer pressure territorial over said tribe living in a fog of confusion torn between wanting to play like yesterday and act grownup like the future self pulling away from parental guidance, but need it dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety thrive on drama exaggerate stories challenge authority have a fear of social rejection look to friends for advice don’t like public praise screen attached YouTube is their mentor YouTube is the go-to for anything teen related. Sure we had pin-ups and magazines of those that we idolized as teens. Still, today’s digital kids have a whole different level of glorifying. It’s easy to see why the youngsters wish to protect their territory at the new schools. Equally forbearing are the misplaced teens that want to keep their clan connected. Thoughtfully, looking at the list of changes the middle-schoolers are going through, how can they quickly adapt to all the modifications and ensure a good education. Aren’t we, as the adults governing them, supposed to help them feel safe and secure when we send them off to school every day? I’m no prude and don’t sugar coat reality for my children, but there is a period where I allow them to enjoy not adulting. These are tumultuous times for the grownups dealing with the catastrophe, and we sort-of understand the facts. The teens involved in this situation are double-blind to all that is happening, counting on social media reports. Voices from the Young This list of growing concerns I’ve been privy to is just the tip of the iceberg, but genuinely worth considering. fear of rejection uncertain of academics loss of familiarity getting lost in the new building new expectations worry about different teachers health concerns overcrowded separated from friends bus concerns On the positive side, it has been nice to see the unification of these young minds. They are gathering together to make their feelings known while being flexible enough to adapt. While angry parents have banded together in the protection of their children and the school-family they once knew. Being a young teen involves an erratic amount of hormone surges. Anyone who has ever dealt with them has seen the sweet, loving, gracious, helpful human that can turn into satan
Meeting Your “New Mom” Needs
Integrating your baby in your life while meeting your “new mom” needs can be tricky. Everyone wants to be part of those first few weeks, but quickly lose interest after the first month. Check on your new mom friends after week four, and you’ll find some of them chomping at the bit to “feel normal again.” Incorporating that balance will take time. Finding something that can help improve your new daily regimen AND keep your baby with you can be challenging. As a new mom, you’re always looking for a small window of opportunity to duck out and exercise, meet friends for lunch, groom at the hairdresser, read a book, run to the store or take a bath without 487 interruptions. It becomes especially important when your health could be suffering; physically or emotionally. We all need a little “me time” to keep the baby blues from enveloping us. Not everyone has enough supportive family or friends close by to watch the baby while you do what is needed to meet your “new mom” needs. There are a few creative ways to include the baby in your lunch, hairdresser, store run, book (you could read your adult book out loud), or bath, but exercise can be tricky. You could incorporate your routine around a sleeping baby, but that could backfire when you are finally feeling the benefits. It helps if you have an older child who is capable of watching the baby for an hour in another room. Alas, even that can be iffy when the sibling is having a rough day while trying to meet your “new mom” needs. Mommy and Me to Meet Your Needs I highly recommend going to playgroups, mommy, and me, breastfeeding support groups, postpartum depression groups, or anything tangible in your area! You can bring the baby and talk to other moms who are in a similar situation. It’s evident that many of you are in online mom groups, but let’s be honest, these people could be robots for all you know. Getting out, having human interaction, and having your little one be around other children is a win-win for everyone. Some of these groups could integrate exercise for adults as well. Imagine a place you could bring your baby and dance, swim, or exercise together? This setting has you both enjoying oxytocin (the feel-good hormone) while benefiting from feeling better about your body. Postnatal yoga is the perfect fit. You can’t go wrong with a class that incorporates a brand new mother and her newborn baby. Besides where else can you sit and breastfeed at any given moment, without concern. There is no pressure or rush to catch up with the other moms and everyone is equally exhausted in this group. If you’ve never done yoga before, relax, this is the least judgmental place to learn. Postpartum Yoga for Balance Curious but uncertain if yoga is for YOU? Maybe you’ve heard that it has a hippie vibe, it’s too spiritual, too witch crafty or too alternative? On the other hand, perhaps you’re a hardcore bodybuilder/gym rat/fitness buff/runner, and practicing yoga doesn’t look challenging enough. Whatever speculation you’ve had about this ancient practice put aside and open your mind. You are looking for a connection with your new body and this is a perfect fit to meet your “new mom” needs. As it stands now, yoga is trending and may come up in conversation. You may hear phrases that sound too good to be true, questioning, and doubting all the buildup to a physical fitness practice that appears wimpy in style. Also, wondering if this is the activity that will be good enough for you and your baby comfortably. Disciplines This tradition is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines, breaking the barriers of all other types of conditioning. No additional training tests your mind, heart, and spirit the way a traditional yoga class can. Each style has different advantages for improving wellness. Be sure to check them all out: Hatha, Iyengar, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Bikram, Yin, and Restorative, to name a few. Most of these can be adapted to fit a mom and baby in the group, but seeking an actual postpartum yoga class is most beneficial. Start with the basics and work your way up, or enjoy how good you feel after a class that you didn’t need to leave your baby to profit. Benefits of postpartum (or anytime) yoga that you may find surprising: Strengthens pelvic floor Protection from injury Reduces back discomfort from holding a baby all-day Balance Flexibility Toning Energy Endurance Heart health Improved athleticism Vitality Decrease stress, anxiety & postpartum depression Reduces inflammation Increases speed of cell repair form birth Improves quality of life Lessens chronic pain Mom networking Encourages mindful eating Improves sex life (for next baby) Strengthens your immune system Weight loss Helps repair abdominal muscles Readjusts the hormones Asthma helper Memory Booster Detoxifying Improves respiration Reduces migraine intensity and frequency Promotes deeper sleep Better posture Connection with baby Realigns your body Reminds you to breath Encourages healthy blood flow Aids in healing physically and emotionally from your birth experience Makes you smarter Encourages body love Perhaps the most important and overlooked perk is the sense of community, building your mom tribe. When you leave your ego at the door and immerse yourself in deepening your yoga practice and mommy skills, with and without baby, it’s easy to find your tribe. Yogis are typically noble people who share the same goals: self-improvement, inside and out. So, the next time you’re considering between a postpartum yoga class or weight lifting, perchance, you’ll put all the rumors aside and remember that yogis can kick butt too: spiritually, mentally, and physically- even in the pre and postpartum realm. Happy Parenting!
