We all need a break

With summer in full swing, things around here have been wonderfully busy. One child is deep into competitive ball, while the other has a social calendar that rivals a top Hollywood A-lister. We’ve been coming and going a lot lately! I could say it’s been a breeze without any hiccups, but we all know that’s not the case. This past weekend, however, offered a quieter glimpse into how my youngest has been doing.

My youngest is so amazing! He's outgoing, funny, engaging, and charming and people seem to be drawn to him; he’s the one with the bustling social calendar. He's also my child who tends to keep his feelings close to his heart and isn’t always eager opening up about how he feels. The past few weeks have been particularly busy for him, filled with sleepovers, hangouts with friends (I’ve been informed that I can never use the word "playdate" again!), days spent with his grandparents, and plenty of baseball and football games. You get the picture—it's been a whirlwind! This weekend, he and I enjoyed a few quieter days, which was a welcome change. I always cherish those slower moments where I can connect with him one-on-one. On Sunday, he was set to attend a friend’s pool party. However, when he woke up, I could immediately tell something was “off.” After breakfast, I checked in with him to confirm the day’s plans, but he still seemed unsettled. I held space for him, letting him know I was there and that it looked like he might be having a tough time; this was met with a quick “nothing’s wrong.” As we began playing our ongoing Monopoly game, he started making comments like, “You’re cheating!” and “That’s not how we play!” This led to him abruptly ending the game and walking away. At that moment, I knew something was definitely going on. After a few minutes, I joined him and used a phrase that often helps when exploring feelings: “I wonder…” I gently asked, “I wonder if there’s something you’re feeling that’s making things hard for you right now.” Within minutes, he opened up about what he was feeling—he was tired and overwhelmed from all the socializing lately; he just wanted a break. He asked if it was okay to skip the pool party. Honestly, my first thought was a fleeting worry about the RSVP, the cookies I was supposed to bring, and how it might affect the family. But then I realized what a beautiful moment this was for my youngest. He was asking for what he needed, listening to what his mind, body, and heart were telling him, and that was what truly mattered. I thanked him for sharing his needs and acknowledged how being busy can sometimes feel overwhelming. I emphasized how wonderful it is that he recognized he needed a break more than a pool party. I could see the relief wash over his face! We spent the day going for a nice walk by the water, checking out a bookstore and chilling at home; it was a great day that we both needed. As for me, I now know I need to be more aware of how much he’s doing and make room for more check-ins. I’m also going to be more intentional about setting aside a few quiet days each week for us all to just be. There’s still plenty of summer left, so here’s to sunshine, fun, family, and those much-needed quiet breaks!

Sending light and love 🌻

Bethany