Supporting parents

“When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen.  When they’re finished, I climb out.”  ~Erma Bombeck

I was recently invited by Margit Crane, The Gifted-Teen Coach, to contribute to her blog by describing how massage and craniosacral therapy can help parents.  Since I work with parents on a daily basis, I was happy to talk a bit about how these modalities work in the body and how I’ve seen them directly benefit parents.

I’ve had parents tell me about some amazing changes that happen for them after coming in for just a few treatments.  Some of these shifts are big and some are small, but it is always significant when they find themselves enjoying their children and partners more.  New parents report that their constant upper back and neck pain from holding and nursing newborns does not bother them nearly as much, and their quality of sleep between nighttime wakings is more satisfying.  Moms and dads with young children that keep them more active find relief from specific aches and pains and are always happy to have an hour to themselves on the table with no interruptions and no responsibilities.  They are so very appreciative to be able to just completely let go during this time.  I love to provide this opportunity for them.

With older children and teenagers, I’ve heard parents talk about how our sessions help them to stay calm and centered when confronted with tough situations.  They are more honest with themselves and their families and have a bit more humor about things.  They even feel that the calmness they demonstrate has an affect on how they model behavior and decision-making skills for their kids.

What parents find with these touch therapies is a balance between the energy they devote to taking care of their children and that which they devote to taking care of themselves.  Although the scales will usually tip in favor of the needs of their kids, they still know that they have that hour every week or every month when they can unwind, hit the ‘reset’ button, and return to their families with a fresh perspective.