Parenting resources for all who love and care for children
Summer break is here and the kids are excited to explore and achieve new levels of independence. The grandkids will be staying with us for extended days of play and travels. We struggle each year in deciding how to provide each child with new milestone achievements and freedoms. Here are some of our proposed solutions for this summer of adventures: [Read more…]
I was talking with my friend today about my summer plans now that my son will only be home for a short visit. It had not occurred to me that I would have more time for myself until we discussed my summer schedule. In the past I always provided my son with extra time for visiting and playing together throughout the summer. Now I would have a completely free summer. When asked what I would do after my work day, I came up with the following 10 activities: [Read more…]
Four months ago, I decided to rent office space outside of our family home to allow me to separate my work from my home life. Since that time, I have learned to balance each day at home with increased time for my family. I have also found that: [Read more…]
Parents Participating on School CommitteesThis past spring, I was invited to join a Strategic Planning Retreat for my children’s school district. Of course, the name of this meeting is intimidating because it sounds so formal. And if you are anything like me, most of the names of school committees (for example, School Site Council, District English Learner Advisory Committee, or District Advisory Committee) make me shiver and hesitate to think what additional responsibility (like more work) might come my way if I attend! But this time, the words “strategic” and “planning” suggested something promising about its purpose in shaping future plans for the school district. So, despite having to take some time away from my day to attend the meeting, I found that the experience was really positive!
I have been fortunate. In all of the years of being a parent, I was never challenged with mobility issues until I became a grandparent several years ago. The first time I was in a walking boot, my grandchild was a baby. I could hold and cuddle him for hours which worked well for all. The second time I was in a walking boot, I hobbled around with small grandkids that were easy to manage. This time, however, I am in an ortho shoe with orders to not walk. Today, I realized I was in trouble when considering my mobility challenges with three young grandkids that can outrun me in seconds. [Read more…]