September heralds the beginning of the school term and new start not just for children but for parents/carers also. I recall when my children started at nursery and reception, shedding a tear or two as I realised they were transitioning onto the next phase of growing up. I have heard of countless parents/carers having similar experiences at the school gates, or after dropping them off at the university digs.
Many children and young people also struggle with this transition from one set of schooling to another. I recently wrote in a blog about student transition to HEI and employment, where I mentioned how the SEJ Process has been introduced to the foundation level university students in supporting them during this important phase of their life as a practical and valuable transferrable skill.
As parents/carers we also struggle to manage this phase of transition and let our off springs fly the nest. Last week our daughter went off for a 12-month study trip abroad and as I was saying goodbye I did shed a tear. Afterwards, I sat with the SEJ Process and questioned what my role as a parent/carer was. I never really questioned this deeply enough before. In practicing the SEJ Process I realised my wants and needs to ‘control’ their lives have often limited and disempowered them. I came to realise that my role as a parent/carer is to nurture and support my children to become empowered independent individuals who can live from their own Truth. In this realisation I was able to let go and see her as a capable and empowered young woman who no doubt will have the time of her life.
This SEJ Process has been such an important and valuable key skill for me as a parent/carer (as well as an educator) that I have been able to experience my children’s journey with love, openness, and gratitude. I am able to experience and share this new phase of my daughter’s transition to independent living abroad, without the SEJ Process at my disposal this would not have been possible.
If you would like to know more, and experience how you too can have an open and truly empowering relationship as parents/carers please take a look at www.staymentallyhealthy.org.uk
Dr M Howard Kishi
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