Mental Health Moments: Don't wanna go...Me too

REFLECTION: How can I find the motivation to do the things I don't want to?

The Morning Tantrum

It's a holiday today for my husband and I. We have the day off and daycare and summer camp is still open for business. What a beautiful gift is this from the universe? I wake up early and get my children dressed with no issues and I'm already imagining all the me-time I'm going to have, a leisurely breakfast, and some intentional time spent with my partner and then I hear..."I don't wanna go to camp." The same camp that was enjoyed all week long last week, the same camp that is paid for, familiar, and works with our schedule. The same camp that is opened on a day that is a holiday for myself and husband. INSERT EXPLETIVE HERE !?! I wrack my brain for solutions. I try bribing 1st.

"Can I pack you Zebra Cakes for your snack?" NO

"A Capri Sun?" NO

"McDonald's for dinner tonight instead of tomorrow?" Yes, But I still won't go.

(Ok, think Camille. Use your brain. He's too smart for bribes.)

Brainstorming not Bribes

My son loves art so I invite him to sit at the table for an activity. I fold a piece of computer paper into four horizontal sections and ask him to think about what he enjoys about camp.

"Friends...which ones?"

"Activities...Like the pom pom creatures, you made last week? Ya. at 2 pm."

"What will you do after camp? McDonalds. "

"And after dinner? Play Hide and Seek at home."

After this brief brainstorming session, he's ready to go and self-motivated to grab his backpack, and smiling. Whew...our vacation day is back on. While driving him to camp, I realized that I feel the same he does some mornings. Especially on Monday, like today. This was a nice reminder that inevitably, we all have days when it's hard to put one foot in front of the other, even if we enjoyed it last week, today feels different. I can do the same thing to support myself in the mornings such as identify what I'm looking forward to and when (my 3 pm walk with a podcast) wearing my comfiest leggings (no one will see them but my butt will appreciate them), and remembering that I make a difference in small ways every day.

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