Before I went to Chicago for the Autism One Conference (check out some of the info I learned in future blogs) I visited a young autistic friend in Minnesota for a weekend outreach. I had met this little girl before several months before and had fallen in love with her then. She is an energetic, imaginative girl who loves animals, the circus, and dress-up. I was excited to see what fun this visit would bring. However things were slightly different for me than last time, as I am now 5 months pregnant.
At home my bigger belly gave me excuses for moving slower, having someone else do it, and not always playing "tiger chase" with my toddler daughter. But, when I commit to the playroom, I know that I am going to give it my all, so I was curious how this outreach would go. Would I be too tired? Could I move like before? Could I really play intensely for the majority of the day? However just as I expected, the playful spirit took over the second I walked into the room. I was jumping and roaring without a care in the world. All of my energy was focused on interacting with my precious playmate. I would have done almost anything for her.
And joyously my body and my baby didn't mind. In fact, they enjoyed it. See, I am a subscriber to the belief that just as Happiness is a choice, so is excitement and enthusiasm. When we decide to go into the playroom with our kiddos we are making a choice to give them the gift of ourselves, and when we give ourselves over to the present moment, anything can happen ... even when you're pregnant, or "old", or have sore knees, or you didn't sleep well last night. When all we think about is that beautiful child in front of us, and how to best be with them or help them interact more, our own perceived limitations can fly out the window!
The trick is this, we don't have to have the playful spirit all the time (ask my daughter, I don't). We don't always need to be jumping out of our skin and grinning ear to ear, I don't think we could if we wanted to, so let that pressure go. However, know that when you step into the playroom (or you are giving them that uninterrupted hour or how ever long you do) with your child it IS possible. Also know that that this spirited energy looks different for everyone. What I loved about working at the mountain is that no 2 facilitators had the same energy, we were all very very different, the key is in being 100% present with your child.
As always I welcome your comments or questions!
Have fun playing! love, Katrina
At home my bigger belly gave me excuses for moving slower, having someone else do it, and not always playing "tiger chase" with my toddler daughter. But, when I commit to the playroom, I know that I am going to give it my all, so I was curious how this outreach would go. Would I be too tired? Could I move like before? Could I really play intensely for the majority of the day? However just as I expected, the playful spirit took over the second I walked into the room. I was jumping and roaring without a care in the world. All of my energy was focused on interacting with my precious playmate. I would have done almost anything for her.
And joyously my body and my baby didn't mind. In fact, they enjoyed it. See, I am a subscriber to the belief that just as Happiness is a choice, so is excitement and enthusiasm. When we decide to go into the playroom with our kiddos we are making a choice to give them the gift of ourselves, and when we give ourselves over to the present moment, anything can happen ... even when you're pregnant, or "old", or have sore knees, or you didn't sleep well last night. When all we think about is that beautiful child in front of us, and how to best be with them or help them interact more, our own perceived limitations can fly out the window!
The trick is this, we don't have to have the playful spirit all the time (ask my daughter, I don't). We don't always need to be jumping out of our skin and grinning ear to ear, I don't think we could if we wanted to, so let that pressure go. However, know that when you step into the playroom (or you are giving them that uninterrupted hour or how ever long you do) with your child it IS possible. Also know that that this spirited energy looks different for everyone. What I loved about working at the mountain is that no 2 facilitators had the same energy, we were all very very different, the key is in being 100% present with your child.
As always I welcome your comments or questions!
Have fun playing! love, Katrina
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