One Week Into a New Placement

If you were one week into a new placement, I would remind you:

- This. Is. Not. Your. New. Normal. Most of it will get better, some of it will get worse, but I promise you—you will fall into normal (albeit a new one) again.

- The tension in your neck will, in fact, melt away. You won’t feel like there’s a stranger living in your home for long, and you’ll start to feel like yourself again.

- Choose connection over correction. Pick your battles, and then whittle them down further & pick even fewer.

- Hunker down. Stay in, cancel anything you can, don’t march on with life as usual. Protect the energy in your home and don’t invite too many others into it.

- Your self-regulation is the single most important dynamic in your home. Prioritize sleep, take deep breaths, practice mindfulness, eat & drink, pray continually.

- Take shortcuts & ask for help. Use paper plates, eat takeout, use screens, call for reinforcements.

- Prioritize basic needs & connection. Cleaning, homework, projects—anything but day to day survival—can take a back seat. Make sure every one is fed and clothed and then spend time learning & enjoying each other.

- Remember that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength. Rely on his all-sufficient grace to carry and sustain you. Boast in your weakness, and find yourself miraculously strengthened by Him.

This is what I’ve been reminding myself.