WORD OF THE YEAR - Scaffolding {2022}

Do you choose a word of the year? Since 2008, I’ve chosen a word to reflect on throughout the year.

*The idea of a word of the year was first introduced to me by my dear friend Heather. Once upon a time, she had a lovely blog full of beautiful inspiration. I’m very glad to call her friend. She told me of Ali Edwards, OneWord365, and her own collection of beautiful inspiration.

Scaffolding – a temporary structure on the outside of a building, made usually of wooden planks and metal poles, used by workers while building, repairing, or cleaning the building.

I know, I know. This is a weird one, but it has a great story and you know how I love a great story!

A few weeks ago, I was reading a few posts in the RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) parenting group on Facebook. (Sidenote: It has been so nice to find a group of parents that understands the disorder and what our daily life looks like. I have also found parents in the group who use the same method we use for parenting – TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) combined with Graced Based parenting.)

One of the parents in the group was seeking advice for the deregulation that happens over holiday breaks. Knowing we were traveling for Christmas and New Years, I clicked on the post to read through all the comments. One of the comments said, “Remember, they will need us to be their scaffolding during this break.” They went on to explain that kids with RAD really need us to surround they with constant attention, encouragement, engagement, and support whenever their schedules are different.

This was a significant reminder to me to think of their needs first. Our family struggles with this every year. Changes in schedules and surroundings can be incredibly difficult for kids with RAD. When they ask for attention, encouragement, or absolutely anything, we can choose to be the support structure in their life that holds them up in any time of uncertainty or transition. When they are irritated, we can lean in and listen to what they are really needing – which is usually just more of us. It sounds incredibly obvious, but after traveling and togetherness learning in is not always my first reaction.

Over Christmas, we visited Surfside with my in-laws. We attended church at St. Michael’s in Lake Jackson. As I looked out the window to my right, I noticed an incredibly tall antenna tower.

And there it was – not just scaffolding, but scaffolding with an antenna.

And right there, I settled on my word – scaffolding. (Thank you, St. Michael). I hope my life resembles scaffolding with an antenna that points heavenwards.

Temporary – My sweet children will not always be under my care. May I remember that they are entrusted to me for a short time while they grow and learn. May I never take any moment for granted.

Building, repairing, or cleaning – No matter what God is doing in their lives, may I be a steady constant that surrounds them and gives them peaceful steadiness in the process of growing.

Do you do a word of the year? I’d love to hear your word for this year! Please feel free to leave it in the comments!