Aside from "pocket change" and a "change of clothes", I can't think of any other scenarios when the word "change" doesn't strike fear or cause some kind of discomfort. Oh wait, "diaper change"...but you get my point.
Change is scary, but yet it's the only thing in life we can truly count on. It's always in motion. Take our change of seasons. They mirror our lives. Sometimes we are in a dark winter, holding on, until spring breaks. Or watching our lives literally change in front of us like the leaves change color. And yet, no one really addresses "adjusting to change" as a life skill. And, isn't it?
Imagine for kids what change is like. By nature, we cling to stability....in their case: their mothers and fathers, teachers, buddies, even their schools, clubs and teams. So, when any of those players change, it reshapes their little worlds. And, it can be very unsettling to say the least.
My son for instance, has great difficulty in new situations. He has to muster all his courage to go into a situation where he "doesn't know anyone" and it's so painful to watch him go through it each time. And we work really hard as parents to help him clear this hurdle when it surfaces, as it does time and time again. I just wish he didn't have to "jump" it EVERY single time and it became a natural reaction. But how does one teach that? Especially when you haven't exactly mastered it yourself?
All I know, is that I think it's critical children are armed with the ability to adjust, adapt and not to fear change. Otherwise, you're handicapping them, because life is always going to be re-shuffling the deck.
Perhaps the first change, is to have a "change of heart"...and just embrace it. Like my Grandma always said: "This too shall pass..." And as I'm learning...sometimes way too fast.
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