Out of nowhere, I said to my family that was over for dinner, “Sh moon FAMILY, PARTY OF FIVE, your dinner table is ready.” Sh moon has become an ongoing funny name, whether I text my daughter, morning shmoon, or call out to her, shmoon…
“I told them I can’t wait to make a real dinner reservation at a restaurant and be standing there with my family, hearing the hostess say,” Shmoon , party of five, your table is ready.
What funny names do you have in your family?
Take care, Natalie
#grandparenting #parenting #adultchildren #lifetransitions #babies #familydynamics
When I was a younger mama, I started a play group in my home for our little ones. We then began a circle of mommy friendships and our little ones began theirs.
Today my daughter invites me to go to the park for music or sensory class. They are Covid babies and rarely see little ones like themselves. This special playgroup shows on all the mommy and babies faces, sometimes staring at other faces between singing, instruments, sand, and paint.
The hunger for being with others gets filled for that short outside time together, especially for the mamas.
Now my daughter is starting a mommy group. They are in a cycle of only meeting outside due to Covid or meeting on Zoom.
Do you grandparents go to any classes with your grand babies? What classes were fun for you to take your kids too when they were little ones?
Take care, Natalie
#grandparenting #parenting #adultchildren #life transitions #babies #familydynamics
Every year from birth until now, I would read a story to my daughter on Christmas Eve. We celebrate Christmas and Hanukah. Going to the bookstore to choose a book, signing it, and then holding her as I read and later watching her climb into a big chair for story time until now adult hood I still buy, sign, and read a new book to her either in bed or on a sofa.
She kept all those books. Now she has them for her twins.
This year I went to my favorite local bookstore, bought a book, signed it and I got to sit Sloane and Isla on my lap for their first Christmas Eve story time. The books are usually funny or have a conflict solved like about friendship or are the all-time favorites like Good Night Moon.
I read to them all the time, but Christmas Eve is a special reading ritual. What rituals do you do with your grand kids?
Take care, Natalie
#grandparenting #parenting #adultchildren #life transitions #babies #familydynamics
Natalie is honored to be teaching with Omega Institute
You are at a crossroad. Change is on the horizon, just within your reach. You aren’t where you used to be and not yet where you will be.
Transitions are places of pausing and feeling, floating above your life for a new view. You need time to think and dig into the earth to cultivate parts of you that had to go dormant and now want to blossom.
You find your rhythm over and over, and from that grounding, you step.
In this 2-hour Omega Teachers Studio, motivational speaker and storyteller Natalie Caine shares wisdom, tips, and support as you deal with both easeful and challenging transitions.
How will you “put your toe in the water” toward a new beginning? Your time with Natalie will help you refocus on yourself and stay open to possibilities. As you take that first step, you:
Join Natalie on this journey to empowerment as she shows you how to create an inner place of well-being and focus.
Join live on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, 7:00-9:00 pm EST (4:00-6:00 pm PST)
Why is it we love watching babies/ children sleep? It is peace and beauty. I loved watching my daughter as a baby sleep. Sometimes I would crack her bedroom door open to peek for eyes open and if they weren’t, I would go close and whisper,
Do you wanna wake up? I wanna hold you? Ok I can wait.” I don’t do that with my grand babies or do I? Do you? Well not on the days where it was so challenging to get them to sleep.
Take care, Natalie
#grandparenting #parenting #adultchildren #life transitions #babies #familydynamics
Do you know that song? I sing it to my grand babies and put their name in it of course. “This little girl named Isla and I point to her; she’s going to let it shine. This little girl named Sloane.” They smile when I sing. They rock their bodies back and forth, then came their tiny hands clapping!
Oh, the sounds they are making. We guess what they are saying, “Oh did you hear that? I think she said MAMA?” These little ones bring out the music in me. What do your grandbabies bring out in you?
Take good care, Natalie
#grandparenting #parenting #adultchildren #life transitions #babies #familydynamics
A woman called softly saying, “Covid, is winning. I can’t, even though January, begin anything. Kids left, husband left, best friend left, work is unfulfilling. I can’t.”
She is not the only person calling with anxiety and grief. When life doesn’t give you what you thought you would have by now, it hurts. Really hurts. Covid and winter are keeping some at home even more isolated. The uncertainty has not become easier to live with. Why would it?
We chatted for an hour. Two practices emerged for her to do at home. Play music louder than you usually do and lay on the floor with a blanket, paper and pencil, and the softest Kleenex. Notice thoughts going by, body sensations, feelings. Notice. Breathing deeply five times. Rest. Repeat. Write anything, an image you saw, thoughts, feelings, wants, anger, why me, etc.
Then put on different music. Repeat activities. This is just a short practice. You don’t have to know what it means, what it did for you, or what’s next. I will share that when I have done this with a group or one or by myself, just the pause from the day and doing this, is worth it.
I am so sorry for the pain. I am so sorry you don’t have someone right there with you, holding your hand, inviting you to bundle up and go for a walk with them. Then the pause of warm tea back home.
Be gentle with yourself.
Natalie
Fortunately, I have a tribe of wise grandparents. From their stories and concerns, as well as mine, here are some suggestions:
1. If you are a worrier, you are a worrier. “Did they make it ok to their aunts house? Did her fever break? What works for me is to remind myself that if there was a problem, they would reach out to me. Therefore, let it go until they do text or call you. This shows them you don’t need to be in the loop for everything. At the same time, you can ask them to text when they arrive or when she is feeling better. It is not easy to hold opposites of don’t and yes, it is ok. Can be crazy making. You know what works best for them and then for you. This is just an example of your role as grandparent, being in the back seat and not driving the car. Do you really need to know? Did you count to five before texting them so you could check in if it matters right now? Have you had a short chat with them that might say, “You know I am a worrier. I am working on not being one. So, if you can let me know, great. If not, I will handle it.”
2. Have fun. When I was a Speech Therapist in private practice, I would think of myself as Mary Poppins who brings unique and individual activities to their home or school during our sessions. I would fill each little bag the night before for David, Ben, Amanda, etc. This was fun for me. When I am going to see the twins, I do the same thing and then I bring them home. The parents also love that I do this for their little ones.
3. I take photos and then text them to the parents when I am with their kids. I use to do this when I took care of their dog. So fun!
4. Slow down when you are with grand kids. Give space for them to respond no matter what age they are. If you sing to them, pause and then sing another. Invite them to sing with you even if they are little. This builds back and forth communication.
5. Say sorry to the parents when you make a mistake. I was excited about their upcoming birthday and bought something I thought would be fun at the party. Just as I showed it to them, I realized that was not a good idea. “Sorry, I could have asked before buying this. You have an image of how you want the party to be. Your party. Your kids.” The irony is later they did ask me to help, “You are so creative and good at parties, would you help us.?” Yippee. Some families don’t mind if you don’t ask first, others do mind. You know what is true in your family.
Here are the services I offer:
Take good care, Natalie
To Subscribe, email Natalie at natalie@lifeintransiton.org (please include name and email address)
#grandparenting #parenting #adult children #life transitions #babies
First, I want to acknowledge all the parents who have gone into the transition of grand parenting and are All In in raising the next generation. I pay tribute to You.
Throughout my life I have lived expected and unexpected changes (just ask me about that). Cycles end and begin over and over. I have had a full life with amazing and challenging experiences. I had no idea I would fall in love with grandparenting so deeply. I feel double blessed, as my daughter surprisingly has Twins.
I have learned through mistakes and fun that the role of grandparenting is not solid. It is about negotiating and keeping the lines of communication open with your adult children. What may have been so one week, may not be the next. Moment to Moment is the easiest way to live this new role in order to Prevent your expectations and wants from not being met. This is not easy. I recognize with my clients as well as myself that this is the preventive medicine from deep disappointment. For example, plan ahead and make alternative plans as needed during holiday times if you don’t get what you wanted.
Like it or not, our children are not hanging onto every word we say. They lead. We grandparents will enjoy this cycle of life if we own that and if we remind ourselves that grand parenting is not our full Identity. As much as it is a loss to not be as needed, the gift is we get to be more independent and pursue passions, friendships, and creativity we didn’t have time for in the past.
We are building a community of support and resources. “Did you feel left out when you weren’t invited… What gifts did your grand babies enjoy at age one? Were you told “no driving my kids until age three? No sleep overs for a year? No saying that to them.”
Your children decide what is and isn’t ok for their family. At the same time, our thoughts and feelings matter. It isn’t easy to hold opposites; they lead and we also matter. Each of our families are unique. The fun is we all sit in the circle of a changing role in our life. I want to be a support to you in this meaningful, ongoing stage of life. Some of us will be lucky to have time with our great grandchildren!
Here are the services I offer:
Take good care, Natalie
To Subscribe, email Natalie at natalie@lifeintransition.org (please include name and email address)
#grandparenting #parenting #adult children #life transitions #babies
Natalie will be facilitating a Zoom support group for those who are no longer where they use to be and unsure of where they are heading.
What you hoped for maybe didn’t show up. Life changes over and over we know that but what we have not known is NOW WHAT? How do I figure out what will add meaning which matters more than simply filling my days? How do I practice tools that will lift me when I collapse? How do I live in the unknown?
Natalie is excited to be with you and share inspirations and wisdom from her own unexpected experiences and from her work with clients globally who sit and wonder, NOW WHAT?
Date: November 2. Tuesday MORNING 7:00-8:30 AM PACIFIC TIME
This will be a small group in order for everyone to be supported.
Email natalie@lifeintransition.org for further information and questions.
Life will continue to change. Each of us wants access to our inner world that is a safe, unique, and a caring place. Through a series of questions and easy experiences, that inner world reveals.
Take good care,
Natalie
I am excited to offer an EMPTY NEST SUPPORT GROUP via ZOOM on October 19th.
The space is limited because I want everyone to have a chance to participate and receive support. I know this is a major life change because I have also lived it.
Tuesday October 19, 7:00am – 8:30am PACIFIC TIME.
Please email natalie@lifeintransition.org for further information as space is filling fast. I look forward to being together with everyone and offering suggestions for you.
Learn how to deal with transitions and build new perspectives on the path to change with motivational speaker and storyteller, Natalie Caine.
You are at a crossroad. Change is on the horizon, just within your reach. You aren’t where you used to be and not yet where you will be.
Transitions are places of pausing and feeling, floating above your life for a new view. You need time to think and dig into the earth to cultivate parts of you that had to go dormant and now want to blossom.
You find your rhythm over and over, and from that grounding, you step.
In this 2-hour Omega Teachers Studio, motivational speaker and storyteller Natalie Caine shares wisdom, tips, and support as you deal with both easeful and challenging transitions.
How will you “put your toe in the water” toward a new beginning? Your time with Natalie will help you refocus on yourself and stay open to possibilities. As you take that first step, you:
Join Natalie on this journey to empowerment as she shows you how to create an inner place of well-being and focus.
Join live on Wednesday, January 19, 7:00-9:00 p.m. EST (4:00-6:00 p.m. PST). For registered participants, this class will be available on demand after the live session is complete.
Natalie Caine, M.A. natalie@lifeintransition.org