Blog Post

Class of 2020! Graduation during COVID-19

Michelle Guelfand • Jun 06, 2020

Alternatives for Graduation Ceremony - The L-E-A-R-N Model!

Everybody’s lives has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another.

For some of our children, this may have been the first time where they needed to deal with a change of plans.

This week marks graduation week for class of 2020!

Some graduated from Elementary School, Middle School, High-School or College/University, (Including my own children). Many children and their parents were looking for this milestone as it marks yet another step of progress and a moment of pride.

Yes, in a perfect world, we would watch our children graduate with their peers, see them with the hood, cap and gown, and shed a tear of pride as we watch them grow and thrive. For our children, a graduation ceremony is a reward and acknowledgment of their years of effort, and maybe also a relief.

But as we make plans, life is throwing surprises at us.

To help parents and children navigate through this unique time

I developed The L-E-A-R-N model:

1. Learning Experience – Everything in life is a learning experience. This COVID-19 time has been a reminder that we don’t always get what want, plan or expect. It is a good reminder to practice flexibility and creativity. The sooner we are to accept and come up with new ways to handle a situation, the faster we recover, and thrive.

2. Empower Character- As parents we can empower our children through this time. By empowerment I mean to remind them of their effort, progress, learnings, capabilities, and achievements. Parents can prepare a letter reviewing and listing all the good qualities that their children have demonstrated throughout the year and highlighting their internal resources that are forever theirs to keep and use.

A sense of pride to both you and your child emerges, as you review how much they have matured, overcame hardship, demonstrated flexibility, creativity and built resilience as they shape their character.

You can write a nice letter, add some highlight pictures, and print it on a nice paper or card.

I have been practicing this twice a year with my children; On their birthday, and at the end of each school year. This process is a good reminder for me that my children are growing and maturing, and I know my children cherish this personal message for years to come.

3. Acknowledge Feelings.

First acknowledge your own feelings of disappointment and frustration, then acknowledge your children’s feelings of disappointment and frustration. Each of you have pictured it in your mind’s-eye, and the external events have changed the course of life.

Meet your child where they are. Allow those feelings to be for a while. Don’t shove them under the rug, ignore or dismiss them. They have a place. Guide your child to thank the feelings for showing up. Provide your children some safe space to contemplate on them.

4. Recall Moments. Be Grateful. Celebrate!

Once you allow that safe space for your child to share their feelings, you build up that trust, and you now start leading them, and think together of what you do have control of. You can now call upon your creative mind and come up with new ideas.

* Recall pleasant memories.

Ask your child to share a nice, fun memory, what they liked to do at school premises, or during the distance learning program, which teacher they remember for the good and why.

* Be Grateful. As your child changes their focus from feeling lacking to feeling abundant of good memories, ask them to savor the moments, and be grateful for the experiences. Encourage them to treasure these memories, and the individuals in these memories in their hearts. According to quantum physics we are all energetically connected. By recalling moments of connection and feeling grateful rather than sadness about them makes a big difference in how we experience ending.

* Celebrate – Now this is another time for that creativity of yours to kick in. Celebrate this moment so that you and your child have a good memory to recall upon in the future.

You can:

- Decorate the house and the front yard

- Prepare a nice lunch/dinner or order one in to support a local restaurant

- Bake/Order a cake

- Play nice music

- Give your child that Empowerment letter

- Prepare a Virtual Google Photo album of past school years and jointly watch it on your TV while listening to fun music.

- Print an actual photo album

- Decorate your car and drive along with other friends

- Zoom call with friends

and whatever other creative ideas you may have.

5. New Beginning – Focus on the Future

Life has its cycles, and every ending brings in a new opportunity for something new.

By now, your child has probably taken some steps to plan ahead for the next adventure.

Remind them of all their internal resources that they have within them, all their capabilities, their strengths and resilience to deal with unexpected events. Remind them that all they need to do is to keep on going. To advance to the next step. And when it turns hard, to look back and acknowledge their progress, be proud, and keep on moving.

This is a good reminder to us all. As we encourage our children, we can use the exact same model, and encourage ourselves, too.

Way to go Class of 2020!

You’ve made it!

Congratulations!

Be proud of yourselves!

I am too!

< Older Post Newer Post >

Prioritize mental and emotional health at work and at home one breath at a time.

Embracing Serenity for Wellbeing and Productivity in the Workspace

By Michal Guelfand • 15 Mar, 2024

The professional sphere, with its emphasis on speed and efficiency, often sidelines the profound impact of mental and emotional equilibrium. This guide ventures into the often-overlooked realms of inner peace and mindfulness, unraveling how they can transform not just our work but our lives.

A Salut to The Unsung Sheroes of Our Everyday Lives

By Michelle Guelfnad • 08 Mar, 2024

On International Women's day lets salute all the moms out there that with patience, compassion, kindness and love to their children lead the world to a better place.

Time to make your dreams into a reality!

Make Your Dreams Come True Day

By Michal Guelfand • 13 Jan, 2024

Kickstart 2024 by realizing your dreams, be it achieving peak fitness, nurturing fulfilling relationships, advancing your career, or embracing a healthier lifestyle. Download our Free Goal Setting Worksheet and embark on a focused journey.

Give Thanks. Experience Blessings

By Michal Guelfand • 23 Nov, 2023

Cherish Life, Love, Nature and All that we're blessed with today and everyday. Download a Free guide to experience blessings through practice of gratitude.

Time To Forgive

By Michelle Guelfand • 07 Jul, 2023

Forgiveness is a personal journey, but it is also a collective one. In a world where conflicts, misunderstandings, and hurtful actions persist, forgiveness becomes an essential tool for building bridges and fostering harmony.

Embracing Independence

By Michal Guelfand • 04 Jul, 2023

On this Independence Day, I wanted to take a moment to stress the importance of our personal independence on multiple levels, mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Independence is a powerful concept that extends beyond freedom from external constraints. It encompasses cultivating a sense of control, self-efficacy, and aligning our lives with our true passions.