Sophie's Thoughts on Navigating the Societal Landscape
This past week has been an absolutely magical one. My family and I spent the holiday weekend with my love, Eva Shipp and all her kiddos. Experiencing all the kid’s love + joy for each other and watching the magic of life through their eyes is such a blessing. It has such an impact on our family to be able to escape for the weekend, reconnect, and experience the magic of play + imagination.
Coming back home I’ve been reflecting on all we’ve gone through as a society especially us here in Southern California. In one week, there was a shooting in Thousand Oaks and then devasting wildfires near Malibu. These were so close to home. I’m sincerely grateful every day that our home is okay and my family is safe + comfortable.
When tragedies like these hit so close to home they have an effect on your mental wellbeing and her kids’ emotional + mental health. My boys are at an age now where they know the seriousness of these events. There are elementary schools practicing active shooter drills. My boys wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare about a fire or a shooting. This is our reality.
I’ve always loved the holiday season because of it’s magical quality to transcend reality and create a bubble of comfort, joy and love. You're able to spend time together as a family, curl up with a movie, and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate or yummy chocolate chip cookies. But as a mom, I know that tragedies are just that because of there nature to happen unexpectedly with serious effects. How do we navigate it? How do we stay prepared + responsible, but still remain optimistic + elevated for our kids?
Here are some ways we’ve made changes in our home to help navigate the societal landscape.
Create a code word with your kids.
As an entrepreneur and a mama with a little babe, I’m perfectly comfortable asking for help with my boys’ schedules. Whether they have a casting call, yoga class or want to go play at the park, they may be accompanied by Adi or I or any of my the beautiful souls in my support system. When I need to use a babysitter or carpool service like Kango (use my code “Sophie20” for $20 off a ride!), the kids and I created a code word that means this person is safe and you can trust them. It gives us all comfort.
In times of tragedy, heal yourself first.
It’s so important to take the time and process whatever happened in your own way. Maybe that looks like a really intense workout class, a long soak in a bath, or a night out with your girlfriends. Connect with your community, escape for a bit, let out your emotions so you can come back to your kids and approach them in a more grounded, level manner.
Digest the scary topics at their level.
Take the time to talk with your kids and explain what happened in a way they can digest. Talking to them about it early on allows them to process it in there way, ask questions and allow the space to heal as a family. This way they don’t learn about these events in the media or at school where it can be misconstrued.
Above all, show up to the world the way you want to. I show up with love - love for everything and anything. When I show up with love, my kids see it and hold on to it. They, too, know how to give and receive love.
Hold your families close this holiday season. It’s truly a magical time and a wonderful time to teach and connect with your kids.
