Family Rhythm

Dear families,

I hope you have all been finding some light in our current situation and are able to joy amidst the chaos. This week we are working with creating rhythm in our home life.  We start with observing our own natural rhythms. What time your family wakes up, tends to eat at, times you find challenging that may need a more centering activities…

Daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms are the anchors that provide security and happiness to your child. With a strong daily rhythm, a child knows what to expect and what is expected
of him. If you observe nature you see rhythm embedded in everything: the seasons, the moon cycle, the sunrise, the seasons, the growth cycle of a plant… With rhythm in the home, simple daily activities become habits. In the early years daily rhythms revolve around food, sleep and creative play both indoors and outdoors. These rhythms are held with simple rituals such as a family meal blessing or a story and verse before bed. 

If children have regular external rhythms, internal rhythms will develop- the child’s metabolism will be more predictable, hunger will occur at the same time each day and sleepiness will creep in at the usual bedtime. 

Seasonal rhythms, festivals and celebrations teach children about honouring the circular nature of the earth. Within the beauty of the changing seasons a child develops an appreciation for the life and death.

 Rhythms are not to be confused with schedules. A rhythm is simple, and it flows like water. It’s the striving through perseverance and dedication that matters not that you sit down at exactly 1pm every day for dinner. Focus more on following the flow of the day not necessarily a slave to the clock. Get back to basics and remember simplicity is the key.

Rhythms are to be revisited seasonally and are a living thing that changes ever so slight overtime. We always want to come back to what are our family values and if are outward actions are representing these family values. This will help us gain some clarity about what it is you want to change about your family rhythm and why. It will also enable and inspire you to make small, do-able changes that overtime will create a family rhythm that is familiar and comfortable for all of you.

So, I ask you all to observe your family’s natural rhythms.

What are your family’s values? Example: like a mission statement for your family, the believes and values you hold dear.

Is there anything you would like to be part of your families daily or weekly rhythm that is not currently there? Let’s find the space and time for it.

Think of times in the day that you are finding challenging? How can be create connection in those times?

We will be adding simple pillars to the day such as a song to greet the day, meal blessings, transition songs, and bedtime routine. These help hold the whole day together.

After observation you can start to do a rough copy of your daily rhythm. I have attached my rough draft of my family’s rhythm of current. After writing it down observe again to see if this rhythm makes sense right now. You can then work out a weekly rhythm (great time to make a weekly meal plan). I will be sending some supplies for you to turn this activity into an artist experience. As you can see not many of us wake up at 3am and go to sleep at 7pm. Everyone is different and diversity is one of the core blessings of the human being. Observe yourself and your family first before putting external expectations on yourself. Rhythm is a natural flow.

Have Fun,

Kaitlin