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“You know, now is a good time to focus more on yourself. Your son is having his needs met and you can use this time to explore what you need. What does your self care routine look like?”
I laughed. Self care? After the whirlwind of activity and emotional turmoil of investigating the best psychiatrists, therapists, consultants, evaluations, wilderness programs, and schools for my son, the concept of self care was as foreign and distant to me as the Costa Rican school where my son received support. But oh, it sounded like it could be a saving grace. Had the dust settled enough where I could focus on myself a little? Where would I begin and how could I develop a healthy lifestyle rather than just applying a one-off bandaid?
As parents of sons who are in crisis, we often find ourselves juggling countless responsibilities and putting our own well-being on the back burner. It is easy to become laser focused on the crisis at hand and maintain that focus on our sons even after the storm has passed. I was no exception, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted trying to meet the needs of my family, but still determined to put my son first. Although I embraced the therapy and parent support that New Summit Academy provided, I wasn’t making day-to-day changes for myself outside of anything that focused on my son. Through therapy, I realized that helping myself by reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and incorporating mindfulness would help my son’s and my relationship in a broader, more lasting sense. But where to begin?
Enter parent coaching – a supportive and empowering resource that helped me bridge the gap between understanding the value of self-care and actually incorporating it into my daily routine. My coach worked with me to develop a personalized plan that aligned with my unique circumstances and goals. Together, we explored practical strategies for integrating self-care practices and mindfulness techniques in a way that felt natural and sustainable.
Through coaching, I discovered the power of setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and embracing moments of stillness amidst the uncertainty and struggles of parenting a son who demanded time and attention. These were all concepts that I had worked on in therapy, and coaching helped me put the concepts into practice. I learned that taking care of myself is essential for my well-being and my ability to show up fully for my family.
To all the parents out there who may be feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I want to offer you this gentle reminder: you deserve to prioritize your own needs and nurture yourself. Therapy and parent coaching can be powerful, complementary tools on your journey towards greater self-awareness and well-being.
You are worthy of all the care, love, and support you give to others. May your journey be filled with compassion, growth, and moments of grace along the way.
Thanks for reading,
Anissa
I laughed. Self care? After the whirlwind of activity and emotional turmoil of investigating the best psychiatrists, therapists, consultants, evaluations, wilderness programs, and schools for my son, the concept of self care was as foreign and distant to me as the Costa Rican school where my son received support. But oh, it sounded like it could be a saving grace. Had the dust settled enough where I could focus on myself a little? Where would I begin and how could I develop a healthy lifestyle rather than just applying a one-off bandaid?
As parents of sons who are in crisis, we often find ourselves juggling countless responsibilities and putting our own well-being on the back burner. It is easy to become laser focused on the crisis at hand and maintain that focus on our sons even after the storm has passed. I was no exception, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted trying to meet the needs of my family, but still determined to put my son first. Although I embraced the therapy and parent support that New Summit Academy provided, I wasn’t making day-to-day changes for myself outside of anything that focused on my son. Through therapy, I realized that helping myself by reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and incorporating mindfulness would help my son’s and my relationship in a broader, more lasting sense. But where to begin?
Enter parent coaching – a supportive and empowering resource that helped me bridge the gap between understanding the value of self-care and actually incorporating it into my daily routine. My coach worked with me to develop a personalized plan that aligned with my unique circumstances and goals. Together, we explored practical strategies for integrating self-care practices and mindfulness techniques in a way that felt natural and sustainable.
Through coaching, I discovered the power of setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and embracing moments of stillness amidst the uncertainty and struggles of parenting a son who demanded time and attention. These were all concepts that I had worked on in therapy, and coaching helped me put the concepts into practice. I learned that taking care of myself is essential for my well-being and my ability to show up fully for my family.
To all the parents out there who may be feeling overwhelmed or stuck, I want to offer you this gentle reminder: you deserve to prioritize your own needs and nurture yourself. Therapy and parent coaching can be powerful, complementary tools on your journey towards greater self-awareness and well-being.
You are worthy of all the care, love, and support you give to others. May your journey be filled with compassion, growth, and moments of grace along the way.
Thanks for reading,
Anissa
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Change is hard. Add a new country, new peers, new teachers, and a new place to live and it can certainly seem overwhelming, especially to a teenager. That’s why at New Summit Academy the orientation phase begins before a new student even sets foot on an airplane! Prior to enrollment, applicants are set up with a Student FAQ packet and then a video chat with 3-4 current students who answer all their questions and create an initial social connection before arrival.
Once on Pura Vida soil, current students mentor new students to learn the ropes and settle in. What’s my schedule? What are the rules here? How do I ask for what I need? When do I get to use my cell phone? The Orientation period can feel overwhelming and also exciting. The latter (exciting!) is what our most recent new students experienced this past weekend when they embarked on their first Aventura with their peer mentors to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall.
In three short days, students enjoyed a coffee tour, shared life stories, visited Poas volcano, completed a high ropes course, and snacked on the delicious local strawberries while going over NSA handbook rules, tasting local casados and cafecito, and hiking La Paz waterfall gardens and wildlife refuge.
It is surely an orientation trip they will not forget as they packed in great memories with their peers as they immersed in Costa Rican culture.
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New Summit Academy students are also talented artists, photographers, filmmakers, and musicians
Our creative students engage in Arts and Elective classes weekly, taking advantage of NSA's acoustically-designed Music Studio, recording and mixing room running on Pro Tools, and documentary film editing suite using professional-level AVID software.
Recent projects that students have been working on include:
- A photographic collaboration with a local animal shelter to boost adoptions
- A documentary film featuring our campus dog Estrella and her connection with staff
- A complete student-performed and produced musical album available on streaming platforms
- A performance by a local professional musician recorded and engineered
- A nature-based photography competition
Almost half of our student body takes weekly guitar lessons with a talented local musician, and our Documentary Film students are even currently working on films exploring their journeys to and experiences at New Summit Academy!