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05/11/2025

Mother's Day has me thinking… what is a mom?

Is "mom" a noun, a verb, or an adjective?

Honestly... all of the above.

I've been a mom for 25 years. Six children. Ages 16 to 25. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that "mom" is a little bit of everything.

Some days, Mom is a noun—
A person. Someone they call, text, or lean on.

Other days, it's a verb—
Driving, cooking, folding, fixing, guiding, cheering, worrying, comforting.

And sometimes, it's even an adjective— the "mom" in mom advice, mom guilt… and of course, mom love.

Their needs are always changing, and so is our role. That's the beautiful (and exhausting!) part of motherhood.

Here's to all the ways we care, comfort, and show up....Happy Mother's Day. 💛

05/05/2025

10 Things A Child Wants You to Know:

Little kids have big feelings—and not always the words to explain them! Here's what they might say if they could:

1. If I'm throwing a tantrum, I might just need a hug. I'm not trying to give you a hard time—I'm having a hard time.

2. When I say "no," it doesn't always mean I don't want to—it might just mean I need more time.

3. Sometimes I cry and don't know why either. Big feelings can be pretty confusing when you're small.

4. If I hang onto your leg, it's because you're my safe place.

5. When I ask "why?" a million times, I'm not trying to drive you crazy—I'm trying to understand the world.

6. If I get distracted or move slowly, it's because everything around me is so interesting.

7. When I make a mess, I'm not trying to be careless—I'm just still learning.

8. If I'm cranky after school or after a long day, it's not personal—I'm tired, hungry, or need a little time to reset.

9. When I say "watch me!" it's because your attention makes me feel important and loved.

10. Even when I'm pushing boundaries or testing limits, I still need you to love me unconditionally. That's how I learn I'm safe and secure in the world.

They're not giving us a hard time—they're having a hard time. And we get to help them through it. A little patience, a little perspective, and a lot of love go a long way.

Send a message to learn more

04/30/2025

It’s so easy to jump in and correct when we see a behavior we don’t like.

But sometimes, the best thing we can do is pause instead of reacting.

Sit back. Watch. Listen.

Behavior is a child’s form of communication - it’s them trying to tell us something they don’t yet have the words for.

If we slow down and pay attention, we’ll hear what they’re trying to say.

01/07/2025

As Maya Angelou once said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better."

That's the mantra I'm carrying with me into 2025: progress, not perfection. Parenting is a journey, and we're all figuring it out as we go. There's no manual because every child is different, and we've never done this before.

It's easy to play "Monday morning quarterback"—to look back and think about what we could, would, or should've done differently. But parenting thoughtfully means committing to learning and growing, not getting stuck in self-doubt.

Try waking up 30 minutes earlier each morning to think, learn, or journal. Reflect on the previous day, jot down what went well, and set a small intention for how you want to show up today. That little bit of time can help you start the day with intention and feel ready to take on whatever comes next. Plus, I guarantee you'll savor that quiet cup of coffee before anyone else gets up!

Let go of the idea of perfection this year. You weren’t perfect last year, and you won’t be perfect this year either—and that’s okay. Each step (or stumble) is part of becoming the best version of yourself—and the best parent you can be.

12/09/2024

Visiting Santa can be a fun tradition, but it’s not always a positive experience for young children. Long lines, loud crowds, and a big guy in a red suit can be overwhelming or even scary.

Before jumping into this tradition, parents should consider their child’s feelings and respect their comfort level.

If seeing Santa is important to them, suggest they try easing into it! They can read books about Santa, watch a Santa movie, or attend a low-key event like a breakfast where he’s in the background or a parade where he makes a quick appearance. 🎅✨

12/01/2024

Staying Calm and Grounded During the Holiday Season

As Thanksgiving ends and the holiday season is in full swing, families, staff, and even we as directors may feel a little off track. Changes in routines, a growing to-do list, and the pressure of the season can leave everyone feeling unsettled. Children quickly pick up on these emotions, so helping the adults around them stay calm and grounded is key to maintaining a positive environment.

Here’s a simple list you can share with your families and staff to help everyone stay grounded and focused:

5 Ways to Stay Calm This Holiday Season

1. Plan and Prep Meals

Meal planning is always helpful, but staying organized is even more important during the holidays. Planning meals for yourself and your children and prepping ahead can make the busy weeks much more manageable.

2. Make a List and Stick to It

Take time to plan your purchases thoughtfully. What does your family value? Does your list include meaningful items like a book, an experience, or something special? Avoid the last-minute rush and the pressure to follow what others are doing—parental peer pressure is real. This is your chance to create traditions that reflect your family’s values.

3. Focus on Giving

Giving can make you feel happier and more connected. Volunteer or adopt a family in need. It’s a wonderful way to teach children the importance of helping others while reminding us of what really matters.

4. Set Boundaries with Invitations

You’ll likely get plenty of invites, some even at the last minute. It’s okay to say no. Choose events thoughtfully, focusing on what works best for your family and your peace of mind.

5. Make Time for Yourself

Don’t cancel plans you’ve already made for yourself, like a workout or quiet time. These commitments are just as important as holiday gatherings and help you stay grounded during a busy season.

10/23/2024

From staffing issues to balancing the needs of the children, their families, and your staff, it takes drive, stamina, and determination to keep everything running smoothly.

Grit is what makes you an incredible leader.

10/20/2024

Helping Children Feel Safe and Happy This Halloween

As Halloween approaches, it's important to understand that not every child finds it fun. While pretend play, dressing up, and role-playing can be exciting and beneficial, Halloween can be overwhelming or even terrifying for some children, especially when it's filled with scary costumes and loud, frightening noises.

As educators, we need to help families understand that each child responds differently to Halloween. Encourage parents to follow their child's lead. If a child doesn't want to participate in the school parade or seems upset, let them know it's perfectly okay. Some parents may worry that there's something wrong with their child if they don't want to join in, but that's not the case. Children are allowed to have these feelings, and we need to support how they feel. While adults understand the difference between real and make-believe, children may not. Avoid pushing them into something they're uncomfortable with.

Children need to feel safe and trust the adults around them to honor their feelings. By being mindful of each child's emotions and creating a safe and supportive environment, we can help make Halloween a positive experience for everyone.

10/14/2024

Happy Monday!
We never really know what we’re walking into at the start of the week, but remember: No matter what comes your way today, you’ve got this! Keep that positivity going, and let’s make it a great week!

10/13/2024

Is School Photo Day Still Worth It?

Do you still do school photos? I'm curious—do you have them on the weekends or during the school day? After 22 years of navigating photo day, I’m starting to wonder: Is it really worth it?

In today’s world, where we share photos on social media and through apps, plus the endless pictures parents take, do families still want that classic individual shot and group photo? What are the benefits of sticking with the tradition? I’m not here with answers; I’m just tossing the topic around.

Here’s something I’ve noticed—children really struggle with the change in routine. The whole day can be thrown off, with meltdowns and extra stress. And parents? They often dress their kids in clothes that don’t exactly match their day-to-day style: button-down shirts, fancy socks, shoes that barely fit. You can almost feel the tension in the morning as parents try to get their kids “photo ready,” and the children definitely pick up on it.

Have you thought about offering a photographer for family and individual photos on a Saturday for those interested? That could ease the weekday photo day pressure.

So, what’s your take? Is it time to rethink school photo day? Or do we just embrace the chaos for the sake of a picture they can look back on and laugh about years from now?

09/29/2024

For those of you who know me, you know I’m always thinking about ways we can learn and grow. As educators, that’s what we do—observe, reflect, and make changes to better support our children and families.

Recently, I overheard a teacher asking a child to say sorry, and it really got me thinking. That’s where the article below comes from.

Beyond "Sorry" - Teaching Empathy and Genuine Connection in the Classroom

We’ve all seen it – we’re in the classroom, and a child pushes, takes a toy, or grabs a crayon. A teacher responds, “Say sorry,” and the child obliges. The moment passes, and everyone moves on. But what did saying “sorry” really do? Did it help the child who did the pushing, or the one who got pushed?

Saying “sorry” can sometimes become a reflex, something we ask children to do because it feels polite. But for the child who did the action, it might not build understanding, and for the child who was hurt, it might not feel like enough.

While saying “sorry” is a start, it’s not the end goal. Empathy is what we’re really after. We can guide children by asking, “How do you feel?” or “How can I make it better?” This encourages them to connect with their emotions and understand the impact of their actions on others. It’s about teaching them the “why” behind the apology and fostering genuine kindness.

It’s also important to guide the child on the receiving end. We often hear a quick “It’s okay” in response to an apology, but sometimes it’s not okay—and that’s okay, too! Instead, we can teach them to say how they really feel, like “That hurt” or “I didn’t like that.” This allows them to express their true emotions. And rather than feeling pressured to say, “It’s okay,” we can offer them the choice to say “Thank you” for the apology. It empowers them to accept it on their terms without minimizing their own feelings.

As directors, guiding teachers to move from automatic apologies to meaningful conversations helps build empathy and emotional intelligence in the classroom. This creates a more connected, supportive environment where children learn to understand their own feelings and respect the feelings of others.

09/23/2024