How Children Can Teach Adults

A short story about experiencing the emotions that can arise when moving from your comfort zone.

Last weekend, I went to the library to attend a Bookbug session (singing and stories for under 5's) with my son.

We go most weekends and it's always a fun activity.

Sometimes it's quiet, other times it's really busy.

When it's busy he still joins in but isn't able to run around as much yet last weekend was different…

It wasn't overly busy.

But the layout of the room had changed from how it always is.

This disoriented me a bit when I noticed, as I like being familiar with spaces and how they look. But it wasn't a huge deal.

I think it was a bigger deal for my son.

After approx. 30 seconds into the ‘Hello Song’ he said ‘draw’, to leave to go to the main library to the colouring table. And started walking towards the door.

It might have been a coincidene that he did this, but this had never happened before so soon after the session had started.

After leaving to draw, he told me he wanted to go back to singing.

I took this as a sign that he wanted to do something familiar first, and in his comfort zone, before going into the kind of new experience.

He joined back in and stayed for a fun hands on blanket activity before a few minutes later getting ready to leave again

Just like you'll enjoy doing things you feel comfortable with. And when something new comes up, that might feel scary, your initial reaction is to not do it or to slowly test the waters.

When you start creating time to notice your thoughts, feelings and emotions you can become aware of what behaviours and actions you do.

People are creatures of habit.

Yet there is a sense of magic that comes with stepping into the unknown, and doing something new, especially when you know deep down it would benefit you.

This is how I move through feeling nervous in my business and take purposeful action towards my desires.

Without experiencing moments of slight discomfort I wouldn't be developing my growth mindset and be open to new opportunities and experiences.

I help others to take similar actions, which is 1 of the 4 ways that I support my clients to feel calmer and prevent burnout.

Small steps make a big difference.

If you would like support to start taking small actions to prioritise looking after your wellbeing while raising a neurodivergent child, my 1:1 Transform Programme can help with this.

Find out more by tapping here.

P.S We went back to Bookbug for the last 5 minutes as he didn't want to miss out on getting a sticker!