September 2022

This week marks the change of seasons. We officially say good-bye to summer and hello to fall. The nights are cooler, the hours of sunlight are decreasing. We are getting used to carrying a sweater or jacket with us when we are out and about. This year we officially declare that it is fall on September 22 at 9:04PM. Some will say hurrah, others will mourn the passing of summer.

This month also marks other hellos and good-byes. Children and families say good-bye to the summer schedule and say hello to school and all that entails. I talked with one parent with three children in three schools. Ahh, those were the days. All those schedules- both for school as well as sports, family, work and life. I took on the role of traffic controller in our family. Someone had to know who was where when and who was circling the landing field waiting to return home… 
​
Seasons come and seasons go. When you are living in the season of infants and toddlers you can sometimes think those days will never end. Changing diapers, sleepless nights, constant needs- it can seem relentless. But it will pass. And then you find yourself in the season of soccer games, feet that grow faster than you can keep them in fitting shoes, teen angst, new drivers. And then they leave the nest- and it is too quiet, the tripled recipe makes way too much food, the house is too clean. Yet another season, the season of being the parent of an adult child which requires another whole mindset.

I think about my reflections in last month’s column: Wherever you are, whoever you are with, be fully present. I believe that applies to seasons as well. How many times to you hear someone complaining about the weather? It’s so hot. It’s so cold. When will it rain? When will the sun come out? Being fully present in each of the seasons makes me appreciate the season I am in and to look forward to the next one. I am happy to kayak and swim in the summer; pick apples and take fall hikes; snowshoes, ski, and skate in the winter; and watch our world turn green and explode to life in the spring.

Each season in our families is filled with joys and challenges. Are you in the season of life with young children? Come join one of our groups just for you: Baby and Me; You and Me Toddler Yoga; Tiny Tots or Small Fries Music and Movement; Mini Explorers; Jaffrey Group or the Jaffrey Walk and Talk group. You will meet other parents and caregivers with children and learn some new strategies for successful parenting. Monthly evening TED Talk Tuesday will address issues for other seasons in a family and Mindful Moments will allow adults to stop the whirlwind of life and breath.

Seasons of the year and seasons of life are filled with joy and challenge. Let’s get excited about the joys and find others to support us through the challenges. You can do this. And The River Center is here to help. www.rivercenternh.org or call 924-6800.

Margaret Nelson, Executive Director
The River Center Family and Community Resource Center