Right on Time for Themselves

🌟Weekly Inspiration🌟

Last week, I ran into a former client and two former clients' parents. It was wonderful to see them and get the update on their lives ❤️. In each case, the report was happy and the young adult was thriving. It totally made my week!

These young adults were late bloomers. They needed a little more time to individuate, find the confidence to blossom, and chart a course that felt like their own. The pandemic certainly didn’t do them any favors, but even if COVID hadn’t happened, they may have needed more time to work, get their license, date, and figure out their college/trade school/work path. They needed time, love, and patience from their parents. These were not permissive parents that didn’t have expectations—indeed, there were expectations of these young people yet their parents had to be flexible and attuned. They had to know that they had a great kid that was finding their way and that a one-size-fits-all approach was not best for their kid. They had to encourage part-time jobs, volunteer experience, drawing classes, hikes, therapy/group therapy, and beach time.

Ask Yourself:

Am I clear on the child before me?
Are there ways in which I need to attune, slow down, or be patient?
Am I feeling pressure from the collective to have a one-size-fits-all kind of kid?
How can I appreciate my outlier child? My contrary child? My free-spirit? My free thinker?
Was I a late bloomer? Are my children?
What are the dangers of being an early bloomer in our culture? Is it all worth it?
Have I ever been unclear, unsure, not known which path to take? What helped?
Am I suspicious of young people and families who seem to have it all “together?” Why?
Is life hard or easy?

Happy Summer!