Gripe & Moan Meetings

The gripe session is one of three parts of the weekday meetings After arriving and doing the hellos and new introductions we grab a drink or snack and split into 3 groups.

This is the gripe and moan group. We all have a chance to talk about our week and what drove us nuts and how we feel about not being with our kids and depression and anger and all those things that get in the way when we do have our kids because of the feelings of isolation and despair.

We commiserate with each other and if asked for offer our experience and how we dealt with any particular situation.

The overwhelming feelings of loneliness and anger can often take over and prevent us from really being with our kids once we do have them. When all we have is 2 days and 2 nights many times we take a day to decompress and the kids take some time to adjust as well. This leaves us feeling anxious about the time we have wasted acclimating instead of just enjoying that time. It's a vicious cycle that just creates more stress. when parent and child both have a plan for the weekend activities it takes considerably less time to decompress. The pressure to do something meaningful is relieved.

Knowing we aren't alone and having the opportunity to talk it out with others can place those feelings in a more constructive context for us and while we are distracted implementing our plan for eliminating the stress we can focus clearly on fully enjoying the time we do have together.

Think of family reunion rather than a blind speed date, after the speed date you're just happy the spinach didn't get stuck in your teeth and in a sick way you feel relieved

On the other hand.... before you leave the reunion you're anxiously planning the next get together