I'm not the mother I wanted to be...

Very recently, we experienced a two-hour session at the Culbute & Caline Early Learning Center in Drummondville. My big Léo (almost 5 years old) and I took a moment to follow the exercises and advice of the owner Geneviève Pineault, a teacher and in the field for 20 years.

Let's put it in context

My Leo will start kindergarten in September 2024. It's a big step and a stress for me. Léo is undergoing occupational therapy for hypersensitivity. I have difficulty keeping him focused, he has no interest in writing. He likes to draw and tinker, but it often ends in paper demolition.

I'm mentally overloaded. Burned. I quickly become overstimulated. I don't tolerate yelling and my patience is like a rubber band that holds with a clip. I have difficulty deviating from the routine, household chores follow one another, I don't pick up the phone. I am exhausted.

I don't get a lot of one-on-one time with my kids. Do you think I take the time to do pencil gripping exercises or crafts with my Leo? You will understand that no.

I'm not the mom I wish I was.

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For some time now, I have understood that something had to change in my daily life. It's not okay. Leo is about to start school, I'm afraid I'll have to medicate him, he's having trouble sitting still. He is intelligent, he is a sensitive, empathetic little boy. But I don't know his abilities. Caught in the whirlwind of life, I need a step back.

After meeting Geneviève at a Mamatinée, I decided to do the free session to see what the Awakening Center could bring to Léo and me.

I had an emotion. A strong. I cried. My boy is capable of focusing, you just have to show him, take the time. If I am there to encourage and support him from the start in the academic world, the world will belong to him.

Geneviève is experienced. I also felt that I myself was supported to accompany my little one. When navigating parenthood, especially for the first child, it's all a matter of trial and error. I felt that Geneviève could advise me on how to make a good connection with my son (I tell you, it's strong!) and give him all the tools to feel valued and confident in accomplishing the task requested.

What did we do during the session?

Write the word "Dad", on the occasion of Father's Day, his first name, follow the lines and a craft with his hand. It's commonplace, right?

We traced the letters together. Then he did it himself afterwards. He watched intently as I traced the letters one by one as I explained out loud how I did it. It's simple, right?

Not for him.

My reassuring presence with my cheek pressed against his ear. He carried out and followed the instructions to the letter. It's difficult to explain in writing, but if you had seen his face when I exclaimed: “Leo, you did it alone!” Wow, you are really good! »

This is the strength of the parent/child connection. In a short time, I managed to fill his “little reservoir”, this mass of reassuring, caring energy and happiness. He hugged me so tight.

Imagine if I did these sessions every week to strengthen this bond and give him this self-esteem to facilitate his learning at school. I tell you, the world would belong to him.

Imagine if many other children could experience this connection with their overloaded, overstimulated, overly busy parent. And just a few minutes a day.

This is the generation of tomorrow, right?

You can take advantage of a free trial session at Culbute & Câline or chat with Geneviève to plan a session near you with some moms in your network. There are plenty of possibilities!

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Anecdote

Léo is in his own little world when he plays. He doesn't listen to me, I often have to repeat. Children are all like that.

At Culbute & Câline, seeing that he was in his bubble and that I had already repeated twice: “Léo, can you hold the trucks please? », I approached him and I repeated the advice that Geneviève had given me when I wanted to have Léo's focus.

I put my cheek near his ear and touch his arm. I said to him gently: “Leo, can you tighten the trucks please? ". It was done in just a few moments.

I found it wonderful.