Tag Archives: transitions

Expecting Transitions

We adults and parents are not the only ones to go through transitions. We may think of our children as growing up or going through developmental stages, but our kids go through plenty of transitional periods too. As parents, understanding and expecting transitions can help us to be able to keep things in perspective, be supportive, and keep from making a “big deal” out of behavior choices or circumstances that are transitional. Sure, there are those reasonably predictable developmental stages that appear on the charts at the doctor’s office and in parenting books, but our children have individual growth patterns … Continue reading →

Things Tend to Move in Cycles

One of the realities of family life, relationships, and parenting that doesn’t often get coverage is that things tend to move in cycles. This can be reassuring when we remind ourselves that nothing goes on indefinitely and our children will move out of phases just as they moved into them! Sometimes, instead of getting all embroiled in the latest crisis–all we have to do is wait it out and soon the wheel has turned and we’ve moved into something else. This is where a healthy dose of detachment and perspective can come in handy. Now, I am not saying that … Continue reading →

Using Transitions

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In a previous parenting article by Kori Rodley Irons, she explained how transitions can be difficult for children. Moving from one place to another or one activity to another can leave way for tempter tantrums or chaos. Kori also suggested that parents be prepared for the transitions and cut-off trouble before it starts. The same is true with teaching students. There are many transitions to make within a school day. Younger students have shorter attention spans. Therefore they have more, shorter lessons within a day. Changing from activity to activity or lesson to lesson creates many transitions throughout the day. … Continue reading →

Planning for Seamless Transitions

Whether you have just started your home business, or have been at it for a few years—you no doubt know by now that the one sure thing you can count on is change. While you can plan for some of the more predictable changes, some catch us by surprise. Still, with a little planning, we can get through times of transition with some ease and smoothness… There really aren’t any “tricks” for getting through changes and transitions without incidence—part of it has to do with attitude (are you accepting the impending change or fighting it every step of the way?) … Continue reading →

Adjustment at Home

“I cannot believe how beautifully she’s adjusted,” my mother said. Most people echoed her feelings. My daughter, who arrived home two weeks before her first birthday, seemed beautifully adjusted during the day. Although she at first cried if my husband or I were not in the room, when we were in the room she would sit and play and interact with adoring friends and relatives. They marveled when she crawled or babbled. Even though eleven month-olds are supposed to crawl and babble, it still seemed like a miracle—both because we were witnessing it for the first time, and because it … Continue reading →

How Do You Introduce Yourself to Your Own Child? –Part One: Prepare Them

Unlike mothers who deliver a baby, I was not one of the first people my child saw or even depended on. She had a birthmother, then two hospitals, then a loving foster mother for ten months, who as far as she knew was her mother. She had a name and a history before I ever met her—or before she ever met me. Some things adoptive parents do are send pictures the child can look at. Our agency required this if the child was over eight months old. We used one of those soft cloth book baby albums with plastic slots … Continue reading →

Primary Time: Helping Your Children Transtion to a New Teacher

In the next few weeks your children will move up to the next class in Primary. This means a new teacher, a new classroom, and a new experience in Primary. Some children do not seem concerned about the transition and move up with no problems. Others really struggle with the transition. If your child is shy, or really likes routine you may need to help her to adjust. If you are a Primary teacher you may want to take some of these suggestions into account as well. 1) The first thing to do is to discuss the matter with your … Continue reading →

Make a Terrific Transition Board!

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Does your child have difficulty transitioning from one activity to the next? Does he scream, wail, and tantrum when it’s time to stop playing and go to bed? Does she protest loudly when it’s time to take a bath, then protest again when it’s time to get out of the tub? The problem for many children with disabilities is that they require order and predictability to feel safe. Most of the time, activities seem to be “sprung” on them without warning. “Jessica, put the toys away, it’s time to go shopping with Mommy,” etc. The child feels confused and overwhelmed … Continue reading →