The last year and a half has been filled with constant adjustment and change. We went into total lockdown, learned to work and school from home, adjusted to masking and sanitizing, then hybrid working and back to school that looked and felt a bit different than it used to. Our daily schedules have been overhauled on a quarterly basis, like many families right now. Though change is never easy, it does make it easier to keep changing.
Four months ago, I graduated with my Master’s in Digital Audience Strategy from Arizona State University with the hope of advancing my career, and today I started a new job as the director of marketing and public relations for a local school district.
I said goodbye to the organization and the role I held for nine years and said hello to a new opportunity that I hope will allow me to continue to grow and serve our community. It will mean a new schedule and adjustments for everyone in our house. Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of practice.
By now, I’ve got a few tricks to help the kids cope with our seemingly-constant change:
- Preparation– Whether it’s a variation in our schedule or a big permanent adjustment, I talk it out beforehand, especially with my 4-year-old and prepare exactly what HIS day will be like. That way, he knows what’s coming, I outline it as simply as I can, and remind him leading up to the change.
- Promotion– Even if the news is not so great, point out the silver lining, the exciting and fun parts of the change! School is going to be on the computer, and you get to wear pjs and spend more time playing legos! Mom’s going into an office and you get to see your grandparents every afternoon!
- Patience– During a big change, regression shouldn’t be a fear, it should be an expectation. Any backslides in behavior, even unrelated, I acknowledge as part of their emotional development and try to be as gentle as possible when correcting. I’ve found they’re usually back to their normal selves in about two weeks.
Change can be scary, even for grown-ups. I tell my kids the best adventures are a little scary at first. I’m ready to start this one.
Our Life in A-Z 