2 min read
So…how is everyone else’s “back to school in a pandemic year TWO” experience going?
For us, it’s been nothing short of mental (insert chosen expletives) chaos. 💩💩💩
As parents especially, today, the back to school scene is a bizarre place to be. Many of us are just trusting that it is “business as usual” in the schools (and the daycares, and the community centres, and the gyms, and the dance studios…etc etc etc) AND that as long as everyone wears their masks, our children are safe…from Covid.
Because IT is not going away.
This month my 11-year-old jumped optimistically into grade 6 with both feet. She was eager to see her little posse of friends again and pick up where they left off before the summer break.
Within a week however, reality kicked in…and, the chaos. For a child who already struggles with anxiety CHANGE is BIG. From facing the dreaded new classrooms to the pain of discarded friendships to the new busy schedules to HOMEWORK to a sudden aggressive stomach flu to the Covid testing (and WAITING period) that followed…we SHUT DOWN.
Did I mention we also got a PUPPY? ☺🐾
Well, we did…and SHE, in her 8-week old puppy way helped us cope.
Taffee is a Goldendoodle, a breed we specifically sought out because of their strength as a service dog. Goldendoodle’s are known for being friendly, intelligent, obedient, patient, intuitive, sensitive…AND hypoallergenic. ❤
In the craziness of the world today, she reminds us to focus on the little things (LITERALLY) and, that everything is ok.
Despite the training “joys” of keeping indoor “accidents” to a minimum while continually digging random, non-food items out of her mouth, Taffee has become our light hopefully leading us towards a lesser intense time in the days ahead.
Her addition to our family is a BIG investment in our mental health…a less-conventional way to manage the chaos of life, and stay grounded.
Welcome Taffee (aka dog healer/cute distraction/cuddle therapy tool) to our planITgirl team.
Stay tuned for more…☺❤🐾
IT is life
IT changes…and that’s OK
IT is all OK
Credits, and Kudos
Raffi Cavoukian
Dr. Dimitri Christakis
Through stories and connections planITgirl’s goal is to help people who have been impacted by trauma to understand what trauma is, and how it may be impacting them…or someone they know.
The founder is a writer and speaker who strives to share her personal journey of living with trauma and PTSD in a forward-thinking, positive, professional and connective format.
If you feel (or care for someone who feels) lost, isolated, different, stuck and misunderstood, we hope the thoughts, stories and connections shared will resonate with you.