Rhythm's Importance
Once home, it's
important to begin to set up a rhythm for your days. This is a daily
breathing in and breathing out of activity.
Children
with bipolar disorder need to know what to expect each day.
Even if you are "schedule
challenged" as I am, rhythm can come easily. You don't need to make sure
they are up at 6am, dressed by 6:30, chores by 7am, etc. You do need to
make sure that when they get up they have breakfast (and meds), do their
chores, dress and get ready for their day. That they know that then it's
time for a morning walk, or circle time or time for their main lesson.
Lunch is predictable, and extra lesson work (handwork, painting, etc.)
is expected to follow lunch.
It takes time to create this rhythm but you
and they will enjoy it once it's set!
I have read that rhythm is strength. Our children, especially those
that have bipolar disorder, need strong forms (ways of doing things) and
strong rhythm (predictability).
Think of creating rhythm for your child, as a way of
empowering them to navigate through their day successfully.
We do so much to help them learn to get through a day without a
rage....psychiatrists, medication, therapists, homeschooling, refereeing
their differences with siblings and friends....why not give them
something that might empower them to get through the days twists and
turns?
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Resources for rhythm:
Paths of Discovery: Articles on rhythm in Waldorf as well as other
organizations that use rhythm.
Waldorf
Homeschoolers: A very thorough site about Waldorf. This is a
specific article written on rhythm.
Wonder
Ranch: Lucie Smoker's articles on rhythm. Highly recommended.
I have searched the Internet for an article focused on the importance
of rhythm for children with bipolar disorder only to find that it's
mentioned everywhere! But I can't find an article just about schedules
and/or rhythm. Try your own Google search for "bipolar" and "rhythm".
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