More than just a Party!
I've had the great privilege to be involved in planning a Diamond Jubilee Party with an committed and energetic group of women, mainly Mums Abroad.
One of our main aims is to give our children a really special memory of a fun party and this cultural landmark. We're also connecting with the local community and have been amazed with the support offered.
We're raising money for charity too - www.helpforheroes.org.uk & www.terredeshommes-alsace.com)
Apart from Union Jack overload and the chance to connect with women whose company I enjoy, there are three things I'm really loving about being involved in this.
1. Seeing the group and the project develop - from having random ideas to actually making these happen. Very satisfying.
2. The feeling of being stretched and challenged, but in a nice fun way. Coupled with that - the discovery that people will often do more than you expect from them, if you only ask!
3. Discovering how much you can get done with good team work, a powerful motivation and a splendid, fearless leader. She knows who she is!!!
Whatever fun also happens on Sunday, it's already been worthwhile.
THANK YOU SJOUKJE!
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| Summer Speed Coaching
I recently had my first experience of running speed coaching sessions at a Healthcare Businesswoman's Association event. In these 20 minute focused sessions, we covered a surprising amount of ground, and it was great to hear later from the participants what had changed for them in this
short time. I'd like to get more practise at this before a much bigger event that is being planned later in the year, so want to offer 5 speed coaching telephone slots in June.
Could you use one of these sessions?
Perhaps you have a burning issue, or a choice to make. Maybe you've a new idea, or a project to kick off.
Whatever it is, why not commit yourself to 20 minutes with a coach to see if this can help you move forward?
Contact me on kirstin@alivetochange.com to find out more - forward to a friend too if you know someone who could use the space.
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Dear all,
I'm starting to write this as I listen to Jenny and her friends playing overhead, celebrating her 11th birthday. Now I'm not sure how it happened, but suddenly I'm persona non grata at these celebrations. It used to be that I was the one organising races, games and generally feeling that I was creating the fun - and now I'm having to get used to hanging back and just taking the odd photo while realising that at this stage the fun can take care of itself.
Listening to the continuing giggles upstairs, I wonder what on earth they can still be finding funny after all this time. Perhaps it's me? Paranoid, I wait outside the door to hear what they are talking about - actually, I don't. I'm downstairs writing this - but I'd certainly like to. But should we listen in?
This age is full of dilemmas - when to step in, when to hang back, how to be involved, while letting go. I have two girls who, at the moment, seem to still enjoy our interactions - but I remember myself at the same age becoming pretty sullen and withdrawn, and not enjoying more than listening to the same song over and over. As I remember, this went on for a very long time.
And as I continue to write, two weeks later on the last day of the month, I'm reflecting on the madness that has been this May. In the past month, I've had a truly bewildering variety of things going on (I did originally start to list them, then realised it was exhausting to read). My google search bar contains the craziest phrases. I know I'm not alone in finding this May totally mad though - many friends are going through the same thing (it's a wonder we've found time to compare notes!).
When things seem crazy, it is always time to slow it down - so I sat today on the balcony with my cup of tea and just rocked back and forth - not in a mad kind of way, just in a reflective mood. The quiet and the peace resonated loudly in my mind, which gradually slowed its endless whirring and just stopped dead, for one, two, even three glorious moments. Ah, sanity.
And then I saw the washing pile . . .
Enjoy June, whatever it brings!
Kirstin
www.alivetochange.com
PS By the way, have discovered what the girls were giggling about. They were taking turns playing "name that tune" by biting into a variety of crunchy veg. Hmm, would never have thought of that one myself!!!!
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Big School
 Just 19 school days to go till summer, then its Big School.
With laser clarity, I remember the day Jenny started school. She had a blue uniform, a blonde bob and looked half pleased with herself half terrified. Whereas I'd taken Tina up to school for her first day without so much as a hint of sadness, when I handed a reluctant Jenny over to the class teacher, I felt a little traumatised. My baby growing up . . . and so on.
In 19 days, my baby finishes in her tiny primary school and, after the summer, heads off to her huge secondary school land. Part of me pictures her still with her blonde bob and cheeky smile getting on a huge school bus. She can't possibly be old enough for this.
Yet,
The other part of me thinks PHEW, from September, my life is no longer shaped by school lunchtimes. There are two aspects of this I will not miss - the need to think of something semi nutritious to eat each lunchtime being one, and the other being the need to be back home for 11am. There's an excitement in being able to increase my radius at last. I can go further - and not just physically.
And so can Jenny. At 11, she's ready to stretch out of her small, cosy one teacher classroom comfort zone - and into the new challenges of different teachers, new subjects, new friends. It's time for her to practise spreading her wings.
It's a transition for both of us, a time when we can both grow in our own new directions. I think, on balance, I'm looking forward to it, whatever it brings.
In the meantime, I'm going to make the very most of these last 19 lunches!
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After a hectic May, I look forward to a trip to the peace and quiet northern Scotland with my extended family - we are celebrating my sister's 40th, and also remembering two special family members who are no longer with us. My cousin Helen died 2 years ago on Sunday, and my Step-dad died just over a month ago - it would have been his and my Mum's second wedding anniversary today. Family times like this are precious - and I can't wait to be together with them all again.
As always, thank you so much for your feedback and ideas about Roots and Wings. It feels great to be writing things that resonate with you or help you move forward. We Mums Abroad have a lot to navigate - our work, our home lives, our growing children, our own personal transitions, and the challenges of keeping strong connections going, wherever we are.
As a coach with my own practice, most of my business comes from word of mouth - and fortunately, Roots and Wings readers have have very kind mouths - thank you for your active support.
In September (with all this new time I will have), I'll be running more workshops and events, so will keep you informed over the summer - and, as always, if you know someone who might be interested, or you have an idea for a workshop, please let me know.
All the best
Kirstin
kirstin@alivetochange.com
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