May 2018 Newsletter

May 29, 2018

Welcome – I Am So Glad You’re Here!
April was such an action-packed month. I was in Mexico on April 1st and, the day after we left Cancun, I saw a news report that there had been a shooting in downtown Cancun which is where we were staying. A few weeks later, another shooting, this time on a beach where my husband and I walked on the last day of our trip. This was scary to say the least. I enjoyed spending quality time with my family and I soaked up all the warm weather but it was nice to be home, safe and sound.

The very first item on my agenda when I got home was editing my book proposal. I did NOT want to miss the deadline to submit my book proposal to the Hay House Writer’s Workshop contest which was April 21st. I worked with my fabulous editor, Zoe Kors and sent in my proposal on April 18th. I contacted Pink’s agent to see if she would write the forward for my book. Nothing to report yet but she didn’t say no so you never know.

I attended the North Grenville Sustainability Fair and my booth was so busy with children and teens creating out of recycled materials. I love watching the excitement on their faces when they understand that they will be using their imagination to create something unique. They love open-ended directives.

I drove up to St-Luke’s CHS in Smiths Falls and offered two back to back workshops teaching stress management skills and tools for healthy emotional expression. The students jumped in and I was pleased with the outcome.

I had a surprise invitation to participate in a wellness event put on by the North Grenville DHS’s parent council. I met other mental health professionals, parents, students and teachers. I enjoyed sharing what I do and why I love it with a new group of people. I was really grateful for the opportunity.

In May, I get to visit St-Mary’s home for young mothers to lead an interactive workshop. I am really excited about this! I will then be speaking at Mummy’s Voices Live on May 5th. This is my first official opportunity to speak publicly about my upcoming book.

On May 21st, I find out if I won any of the prizes in the Hay House Writer’s Workshop contest. I so want this. It would be an amazing opportunity to create a movement of moms speaking their truth.

I finish off the month with a workshop at Smiths Falls Collegiate. Hooray!

Every month, I start my newsletter with a Families Connect Challenge. This month is all about boundaries. Boundaries are an important concept for children to understand, not only to respect our boundaries as parents but to defend their own boundaries in situations where adults cross the line. If children are not taught their rights, they may feel uncomfortable without the vocabulary to articulate it.

Step 1-Use a few buildings your child is familiar with to introduce the concept of boundaries. Where does our home end? Where is the end of the school property? That is a boundary. We have boundaries to our bodies as well.

Step 2-Talk about the different types of relationships your child may have. There are people that we want close to us, whom we hug and kiss, we are comfortable with them in our personal space. Others are friends, we play with them and have them over but we may not want them in our personal space. You may hug a friend but you wouldn’t want to kiss them on the lips. Then you have teachers and coaches. You like them and enjoy spending time with them but, again, you are aware of the space between you. Once again, you may feel ok with hugging them but you wouldn’t kiss them. Then there are strangers. You see them but you would not be comfortable if they stepped into your personal space.

Step 3-On a big sheet of paper, draw a circle. Have each person draw their own circle with a drawing of themselves in the centre. Then draw different people in their lives, whomever comes to mind, including pets onto the paper. Draw them as close or far away from you as you’d like, representing the level of intimacy with that person. You can draw lines to represent the quality of your relationship with each person. A straight line for people you enjoy. A zig zag line for people with whom you fight a lot.

Step 4-This part works best if you can go outside or if you have a big open space. You can use blindfolds or have everyone close their eyes. You walk around and, when you feel someone walking into your space, too close for comfort, say STOP. Open your eyes and see who is there and how close s/he is. Repeat this process as many times as you wish. This helps the child feel the difference between a comfortable distance and discomfort.

Step 5-Get a roll of butcher/craft paper or tape some sheets of paper together. Place the paper on the floor and trace your child’s outline and your own. Talk about your child’s body as having boundaries and explain that it’s ok to set boundaries with others when they make them uncomfortable. You may want to provide examples: It’s ok not to hug a relative who always asks for one, you can offer a high five instead. Have the child write them on his/her outline. I can say no to hugs. I can tell someone when they are standing too close to me.

Step 6-Next, on the outline, point out the areas of the body that are private. Talk about the need for privacy. You can use a Bristol board to write some rules. Nobody in my room unless invited. Never walk into the washroom when I am doing my business. Don’t touch anything on my “no touch” shelf. The no touch shelf is a great idea for siblings. If one of your children wants to protect his/her belongings, they can go on the special shelf.

You may want to do only one of these activities. It will likely elicit some interesting discussions. This is only an introduction to the concept of boundaries. I hope these suggestions are helpful. I would love to hear from you or see your art. Don’t forget to tag me if you share photos on your FB page or Instagram for your chance to win the Movie Pass for four (two adults, two children). The winning family will be announced on my Facebook page on December 23rd, 2018.

Every Tuesday at 1pm (ET), moms can connect online for free, and explore whatever topic is being discussed that week. I have been offering Mommies Mingle every Tuesday, since we returned from Mexico. The group is still growing. I would love to have you join us. Please sign up here, it’s free!

If you’d rather socialize in person, join me in my art studio on CR 18 in Kemptville for my monthly creative activity, Mama’s Time Out. This month, I am focusing on post-baby sexuality. Come on May 24th, 2018 at 11am ET for some creative expression, honest conversation and mommy bonding. There will be tea, coffee, sweets and lots of fun. The cost of this workshop is $60. Please follow this link to register.

I am very excited to interview an artist each month for Awesome Artsy Moms. I met Elenora Luberto in her home studio this month. She is a mother, an ex-teacher, photographer and, the owner of Jemman Photography. Elenora is super down-to-earth, friendly, funny but professional, competent and organized, www.jemmanphotography.com. I really liked getting to know her. You can watch our interview here. In May, I travel to Stittsville to interview Karen Wynne Mackay. Have a look at her website, http://www.karenwynnemackay.com, and you’ll be as excited as I am. Karen explores encaustic paint, acrylic, mixed media and calligraphy. It doesn’t get much more varied than that! I can’t wait to meet her!

This month, on my blog, Anne’s Mommy Moments, I discuss the changes in my body after I had my daughter and how I felt about them. I did not feel prepared for these experiences and I’m hoping to stir some honest conversations. Read it here.

I decided to visit different groups of mothers to speak with them and learn about their experiences. Speaking in a group is different from talking one on one. We feed off of each other’s ideas and our conversations can take unexpected turns. I was planning to speak to mothers in Mexico during our tip. I soon realized that while my Spanish may be strong enough to voice the questions, it is not strong enough to understand their answers. I shared my questions with the property manager of our rental. She promised to have her friends e-mail me their answers. I have not received anything and, at this point, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I have initiated many conversations with mothers whose children are on the spectrum. I have more chats scheduled in May. There needs to be services to support these moms as they have their children at home all summer with little to no respite. I have a few ideas and I’ll run them by the moms first then share them with you in the next newsletter. I will also be reaching out to moms from other countries through Facebook to explore the differences in our mothering and the support we receive.

Finally, on Mama’s Toolbox, I interview professionals every month to ask them questions that I think moms would want to ask. My April interview was with Carol Williams, https://cwilliams.ca/neurofeedback/. Carol uses Neurofeedback to help people regulate their brains. She treats individuals who are experiencing issues with stress management, insomnia, depression, overactivity, learning difficulties, addictions and so much more. Don’t miss this interview if you have a child with high levels of anxiety or a mood disorder. You can listen to it here. Next month, I will be interviewing Katayune Kaeni about postpartum mental health. This is such an important topic and I am looking forward to this interview You can preview her work at https://drkaeni.com.

This is my way to serve you. If you have any suggestions regarding topics you would like to have covered or questions you wish to ask, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at info@annewalsh.ca.

I look forward to seeing you in my groups or reading your comments.
Motherhood Doesn’t Have to Be a One-Woman Show,
Anne Walsh
www.annewalsh.ca

**If you are participating in my Families Connect Challenge, please follow the links below to see previous newsletters.

View April 2018 Edition

View March 2018 Edition

View February 2018 Edition

View January 2018 Edition