As a parent, there are certain times of year that seem to stir up a whole cocktail of emotions, not just for our children, but for us too. The end of summer and the start of a new school term is definitely one of them.
On the surface, it might look like anticipation and excitement. Fresh uniforms, newly bought pencil cases, and fancy water bottles, but underneath? There can be nerves, uncertainty, sadness that the holidays are over, worries about new teachers, changing friendships or simply the challenge of getting back into routine after weeks of freedom.
As a therapist and coach, I know that children don’t always have the language to explain these complicated feelings. And as a mum to two children, aged six and nine, I see it play out in real life too. Sometimes those emotions come out as excitement, hyperactivity, sometimes as clinginess, tears over seemingly tiny things or even complete silence. It’s not that our kids don’t want to tell us what’s going on, they often just don’t know how.
That’s why I’m always on the lookout for experiences that help open up those conversations naturally rather than forcing them.
Recently, I took my two to FRAMELESS in London to experience The Colour Monster Goes to School, and I honestly came away feeling incredibly inspired. If you’ve ever visited FRAMELESS before, you’ll know it’s unlike a traditional gallery. You’re not expected to quietly admire paintings from behind a rope. Instead, you’re completely immersed inside the artwork. It surrounds you, moves with you and invites you to become part of the experience, no shushing needed, in fact, quite the opposite.
