A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
I had tossed and turned the night before my mind filled with the worries that sometimes creep up on us like unwelcome burglars to steal our peace and restful slumber. Just like little humans that wake us in the night but much less snuggle worthy! The “worry” visitors had left me with a tired body and mind the next day and with batteries depleted Thursday morning announced itself. The morning rituals were a bit of a blur but a welcomed routine that supported getting us from A to B.
Fast forward through breakfast, missing shoes and a million unpredictable events that occur every morning, with kids, we were finally grabbing school bags and en route to school. Buckles were barely tightened when the chorus echoed from the back seat with a request for music for the drive to school. My head, ached at the thought (* is that where the term headache originates from? This is a question I’m sure to get from my one daughter soon!) and in the interest of not actually losing my mind I requested that we perhaps give music a skip that morning.
The questioning child was on me like a barnacle on a rock and curiously demanded sound reasoning for my un-cool request. I felt myself get battle ready but first dug into reserves and calmly explained that I had really had a bad night and my mind felt a bit exhausted and not up for BIG NOISE. The next line of questioning was more innocently thoughtful as it enquired what on earth could have kept me awake? (I had after all been indicating
exhaustion just around story time every night!) We proceeded to chat, and I explained that even adults have worries and concerns that they can’t switch their brain off from.
We drove on in silence, the two backseat singers mulling over this development. My mind sighed in relief. “Would you like to talk about it?” invited my almost six-year-old? She wisely then informed me that A PROBLEM SHARED IS A PROBLEM HALVED after all! Oh man, my tired brain was not so tired that it missed my own advice coming back at me. I felt somehow better and complimented her on her wisdom and thoughtfulness and in total agreement that this was an excellent suggestion. The sisters grinned at their problem-solving ability and with the possibility of the music going on. I further thanked her for the reminder and responded that I would chat with another adult for sure and be sure to get better rest that night, but her concern and wisdom had already made a huge difference. I gently hit play, kept the volume down and hummed a happy tune from my heart the rest of the way. Their tune (if we can call it that) filled the car for the remainder of the drive. Apparently, we have this in common with children. We all need to feel seen. We all need to feel heard. Thursday was going to be a good day after all.