Natural Balance Blog » Blog Archive

The Kids are Home

June 20th, 2008

Summer is here! For many of you that means daily routines are undergoing a dramatic change – your kids are out of school. Your home is about to become chock full of toys, games and kids. “Calgon, take me away!” (dating myself a little with this old 70’s commercial).

I’m a family person myself, and so are many of our clients at Natural Balance Home and Office. We’re used to maintaining a home with kids. But let’s face it, summer gets intense with all the action and stuff about, all the time!

Simple/ easy toy storage is key to peace of mind at home with kids, but I’m going to get into that next time… it deserves it’s own focus!

Today I want to talk about 30 minutes, or more, of “you time.” As parents, we tend to put everyone else first and this takes a toll on us. You know the count to ten rule before you lose your cool? 10 seconds works in an emergency, but doesn’t really help the root of the problem – your frazzled nerves. My suggestion is to set up a get-away space and a schedule that will support 30-90 minutes a day to clear your mind and spirit. There’s nothing wrong with creating a sanctuary space for yourself with a sign that says, “No Kids Allowed right now.”

Your peaceful sanctuary doesn’t have to mean adding a new room onto the house or building a new structure in the backyard. An existing space in your house can easily become a place of peace and tranquility: your bedroom, guest room, study, sun porch or a partially-finished room in the basement.

Here are a few tips to create your perfect retreat at home:

Use feng shui to help connect your space to you and the earth. With true north as the guide, map the bagua over your home to find out what “gua” (life theme area) your room is located in. You can use the color and natural element associated with this gua as inspiration for your get-away space. Download a bagua copy: www.naturalbalance9.com/feng-shui.htm/

Look at the color in your newly re-purposed space. Does the color fit the purpose? Using a room to get away and read, take a nap, practice your karate skills, blare music, dance, write or do yoga all require different moods and color will go a long way toward setting that mood. If the overall color makes you feel jangly and anxious, come up with a new palette for your space before doing anything else.

Lighting is also key for this room. You’ll want three different types: an overhead light, task lighting for reading, writing, etc, and ambient light which can be as simple as dimming the overhead lights or adding some up-lighting along the walls or in corners. This gives you control over the mood and functionality of the room.

Furniture is next on the list. You’ll want to fix the creaks and make sure it all looks pleasing to the eye. If that end table needs to be re-finished, do it! You don’t want to steal a few precious moments in your sanctuary just to be reminded of another project waiting for your attention (unless your sanctuary is a workshop). Take a close look at your storage units too. Are they functioning well or are you letting stuff pile up? If it’s the latter, think about finding a solution that works better for your needs.

Now that you have the basics in place, look at fabrics and accents in your room (window treatments, pillows, throws, rugs, etc). They can add color, softness and texture, all of which can add to the overall feel. When thinking about accents, you should also keep in mind how you’ll use the room. Do you expect to sit on the floor? Maybe a cushy throw rug would be better than the slotted bamboo one. For a space you’ll use for yoga, keeping the floor open for a sticky mat is a better decision.

Finally, artwork is an important part of any room, and should be in your get-away space too. Take your time with what you add to the walls and surfaces. Make sure they are pleasant to look at and emotionally supportive. Using the bagua for guidance, personal items can be placed to draw your attention to specific life goals and desires, making them a reality in your life. So, don’t just throw something on the wall that has not found a home elsewhere. Place the art in your private space to have a profound positive effect on your psyche.

Make way for “me too” time this summer. Have fun creating your get-away room!

A few great parenting resources:

Books:

Love and Limits book review:

www.parentingpress.com/b_love.html/

Parenting from the Inside Out:

www.powells.com/biblio/1-1585422959-0/

Parenting modality Love and Logic:

www.loveandlogic.com/

Websites:

Child Development Institute, Stress Management for Parents:

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/stress.shtml/

A muti-spiritual site, specific article: 7 Quick Ways to Calm Down:

http://www.beliefnet.com/gallery/calmdown.html?source=GOOGLE&campaign=097&medium=CPC&nopop=1&SW.mc_

id=GOOSWC097&WT.srch=1&gclid=CJKz58rYgZQCFQwxiQodi3NEWQ/

Coaches and Counselors:

Robin Dowdy, M. Ed.

Shine Through Coaching

Seattle, WA

Robin Dowdy, parent, educator, business-owner and coach, has been facilitating the growth and development of individuals for almost 10 years.

When being coached by Robin parents are heard, supported, and empowered to transform their lives. She uses insight, powerful questions, humor and compassion to connect deeply with her clients. As a result of coaching, Robin’s clients achieve power, joy, and fulfillment.

Robin Offers:

Introductory Sessions

6-Week Workshops

Refresher Courses

For information about upcoming workshops or to have Robin come speak to your group, please contact Robin at (425) 941-0819, robin.dowdy@gmail.com

Kaji Martinez MA, CMHS, LMHC

Achieving Inner Balance Counseling and Coaching

Seattle, WA

Martinez provides individual, couples and family counseling. She offers various modalities and works with blended, and multicultural families. As a Child Mental Health Specialist she also provides one on one therapeutic service to children. Parent coaching and education is offered to families in her office or the comfort of their home – creating a better understanding of family dynamics in a shorter time frame. Therapeutic plans are catered to each family and individual.

Free phone consultations are available to those who may be interested in seeking services.

Contact Kaji Martinez at (206) 715-0714, www.aibcounseling.com/