Look For The Helpers~ A Series

“Anyone who has ever been able to sustain good work has had at least one person – and often many – who have believed in him or her. We just don’t get to be competent human beings without a lot of different investments from others… From the time you were very little, you’ve had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, loved you into loving.” Fred Rogers

This is the beginning of a special series titled, “Look For The Helpers“. It’s inspired by the late Fred Rogers who was the creator and host of the long running television show, Mr. Rogers neighbourhood. Fred Rogers was a champion of children and his mission was to spread kindness and connection throughout the world. Mr Rogers’ mother would tell him “look for the helpers” whenever he felt scared or there was a catastrophe. Because when you “look for the helpers”, you will know there is hope.

Each person that I interview in this series has been a helper to me either directly or indirectly. During this COVID pandemic, I think that we can all use a little help and that is why I am sharing my helpers with you. I want to give some hope, to inspire you, to support you, to “talk you into talking” and to “smile you into smiling”.

We will focus on dealing with fear and anxiety, parenting, working from home while supporting our children, learning from home during times of stress, strengthening our connection with family and community and gathering the tools that will strengthen us not just during a catastrophe, but at anytime in our life.

My First Helper: David Irvine

The first episode of this series is about becoming an authentic leader within our home. We focus on being human and why that empowers our personal self, our parenting and our relationships. My “helper” is David Irvine the Leaders Navigator. David brings his expertise and genuine care to this episode.

David is a speaker, advisor, author and former family therapist. He is also a husband, father and grandfather. David has inspired me through his work and his writings. We share similar values and his genuine care connects with my heart. David believes in strong character and facing the demands of reality. He believes in the roots of self respect, the power of love and the goodness of people. And he believes in being human and having patience with ourselves and with our kids.

In This Episode: Parenting and Being Human

In this episode David and I talk about how these values play a role in parenting and how to be a “good enough parent”. We also talk about how they can sustain us in raising our children and finding joy in the process.

During these times of isolation and change we explore what is important in these days;

• why it is not a time of high productivity but a time of creation and connection.

• why personal development is the best gift we can give to others

• how we can get to know ourselves on a deeper level, within the walls of our home

• the importance of separating our own identity with that of our kids and the ways that we can do this

• why we need to be easier on ourselves and not be afraid to be human with each other

• Acknowledging and talking about our fears

• Identifying wants vs needs

• How we can have an external community and an internal community

• David’s Wall of Influence~ recognizing the people in life that help make us and support us

I would like to thank David Irvine for sharing his wisdom and being a helper. If you would like to connect with David you can find him at his website https://www.davidirvine.com/

If you would like to hear more about finding opportunities for learning during COVID, check out my episode with Mara Linaberger http://imhomeschooling.com/homeschooling-during-covid/

Support the show through Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/honeyimhomeschoolingthekids