Pilates Warm Up: I Matter and My Children Matter
During the past ten years of writing and speaking about cyber bullying and screen dependence, the most important audience to reach is parents. Yes, the audience who matters the most is You—Parents and Guardians. Yes, You Matter. Do you really know how much?
From the moment your child is born or you become the guardian or parent of a child, your life changes. You no longer are the center of your universe. Your partner, spouse, or the father/mother of your child is no longer the most significant person in your life. Why?
Because, your child just made you the most important person in his life.
This is important.
Your child just made you the most important person in his life.
Your child's life depends on you. From the beginning stages of providing basic needs to the later stages of young adulthood when they leave the parental nest and begin their own lives, your children need you and deserve to have the best of you. Often times, parents and guardians begin their parenting with a strong commitment and steady involvement in their children's lives. As their children enter into middle and high school, they often back off or become less engaged. Emotions frequently expressed are, “My children just don't need me as much.” Other times, with more children coming into the family or as other challenges arise, parents grow tired, stressed, and over-worked, not only neglecting their commitment to parenting but rationalizing it in the process. And, as societies have embraced technology to meet their needs for communication and social interaction, parents and guardians as well as their children are immersed in their own social interests, unknowingly becoming increasingly isolated and detached from one another.
Whether your family is in a strong place of connection or whether it needs some strengthening, we begin your Warm Up by developing your inner awareness around the importance of being parents or guardians. As you do so, let’s not think about this process as something you have to do. Let’s reframe it as this is something you get to do. After all, being a parent or guardian is an awesome privilege.
Let’s begin with the first part of our Warm Up.
We are going to start with a simple but super important exercise. As is true with any new exercise, you must start with the right mindset. Regardless of the age of your children, begin each day with your first Pilates Warm Up.
Pilates Warm Up #1: I Matter To My Children
On a card or piece of paper, write down the following:
I Matter To My Children
•My children depend on me for their basic needs.
•My children need my love and nurturance.
•My attitudes, behaviors, and words influence or impact their lives.
1.Place this on your bathroom mirror or somewhere you will see it every morning.
2.As you are getting ready, read aloud and repeat this phrase at least three times, “I Matter To My Children.”
3.After reflecting on its significance, read and repeat the next statements aloud, at least three times.
•My children depend on me for their basic needs.
•My children need my love and nurturance.
•My attitudes, behaviors, and words influence and impact their lives.
4.Allow yourself time to take in the importance of their implications.
5.If you experience any negativity, guil
