This year was a tough year, and there’s a lot that all of us will be glad to leave behind. While it was very different than expected, there were some glimmers of light that came through, unexpected blessings and finds that made things a little better. Just for the fun of it, here were a few of my favorites:
Category: encouragement
2020: The Year of Focus
Because of the shakeup in our world and in or daily routines, we, like so many of our friends and neighbors, were forced to ask ourselves hard questions about what was really important: What could we keep? What could we let go of? What could we change or work around? What was essential?
Finding the Right Fit: 2e kids in a “one-size-fits-all” world
Our kids will come alive as they have never before when they finally find their niche, finally find people who are on the same wavelength, with similar interests, who respond to conversation with conversation rather than the “you’re so smart” excuse of a response. People who inspire and motivate rather than constrain and frustrate.
What’s Easy for Me must be Easy for You
Some people can accept quirky, can accept differing preferences, but there’s one thing that flummoxes most people: If it’s easy for them, it should be easy for you. They have a very hard time understanding why you’re struggling.
Fake Trees can be Magical Too
Sometimes, our kids don’t experience the world the same way we do. There are allergies, sensory sensitivities, and other challenges that would make the events that we loved more stressful than thrilling, more anxiety-inducing than awe-inspiring.
You can give your kids… and yourself… a gift. The gift of an appropriate and child-informed holiday season. I’m not saying that we let our littles become dictators who determine what we do (and don’t) do, but instead of chasing after recreating the past and keeping up with the neighbors down the street, we do what works for our family. At our pace. And don’t feel guilty about the rest.
Lessons in Adulting
It’s easy to model concrete skills: how to peel a carrot, how to wash a window, how to sort the laundry. These activities break down into simple, observable steps that can be easily verbalized.
This year, I’ve realized that I need to be much more intentional in modeling those oh-so-important skills that are less concrete.
Wonderschooling 