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Dear ,
Last month I recommended the book A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. With seashells as her beautiful metaphor, Lindbergh writes about motherhood, marriage and the contentment of solitude. Well, last weekend, I actually got the rare chance to experience the "contentment of solitude".
My mother-in-law took my boys for their annual "Grandma Camp" which includes lots of root beer floats and running around like a couple of Huck Finns on her rural property. And with my husband away on a golf trip, I found myself with nearly three days to retreat in my own home.
So what did I do with my time? I'm almost embarrassed to tell you.
I binged on a TV series...and Ben & Jerry's ice cream may have also been involved. While I did catch up on a little work here and there, I didn't wax philosophical over seashells, nor did I do any ground-breaking naval-gazing.
But the weekend was exactly what I needed as we wrap up another busy summer. I needed to put my feet up, read until all hours, watch TV, sleep, shop and shove aside some of my responsibilities for a few days.
I hope you get to take a few hours, or even a few days, for a mini-personal retreat to do exactly what makes you feel great.
While summer break is going on all around us, for most moms I know, it's just another crazy season of balancing work and home, driving kids to camps, entertaining, breaking up sibling battles, and taking the show on the road for out-of-town vacations.
Even if you aren't anxious for summer to end, look for moments to nurture your spirit. You'll feel refreshed and ready as we each prepare to embark on yet another busy season.
Have a wonderful August!
Yours,
Christa
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Is your home ready for back-to-school?
Check out what's happening this month on Facebook!
On Monday, August 15 join us in Confidently Connected Moms on Facebook. Magalie Rene-Hayes, a classroom and interior designer, will present her virtual workshop "Kid-Smart Spaces: Your Home Environment & Your Little Genius." Here's what to expect:
Our environment informs what we create. That's true for schools and also for homes. Tune in August 15 to learn:
- How your home's layout, design, and decor can impact wellness, focus, behavior, mood, problem-solving skills, creativity, and concentration.
- Tips & Tricks for creating an optimal homework/study area.
- The one area in your home that most supports your child's academic success.
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*Would you like to guest host an educational workshop in my Facebook group that can benefit moms? Please email me at [email protected].*
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According to Pew Internet Research, 90% of American parents say that communication skills are the most important skills kids need to get ahead in today's world. Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected can help!
"A must-read for all moms and dads before placing technology into the hands of their children." ~Margaret Sarver, editor,
Kansas City Parent
magazine
Every mama needs her tribe.
Do you have yours?
Confidently Connected
is a resource for any mom seeking to bring more energy, happiness and wellness into her social life.
"Practical tips for making connections that decrease stress and boost your mood." ~ Heidi Smith Luedtke, Ph.D., author of Detachment Parenting: 33 Ways to Keep Your Cool When Kids Melt Down
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Personal Connection
As the elections creep closer, political fervor will only increase. Should you engage in an online political debate? Unless you're skilled at doing so thoughtfully and kindly, my suggestion is to steer clear. I've seen more than a few online debates devolve into ugly, name-calling screaming matches. No one wins.
Here are some tips for managing the season's political rhetoric online:
- Use the 24-hour rule. Walk away to avoid an impulsive, mean-spirited response.
- Let out your frustration offline. Great music and a run works for me. For others, screaming into a pillow does the trick.
- Go do something fun. Play a game with your kids. Read a book. Watch a funny movie.
- After you've cooled off, and if you still feel strongly about the issue, write your own post expressing your views.
- Just as you treat others nicely, expect respect and tolerance from your online community. Thoughtful debate is the cornerstone of democracy. Abuse from so-called friends isn't. Bounce those bubbleheads to the curb.
Life serves up enough stress and worries. Strive to create an online space that informs, entertains, inspires and offers thoughtful commentary. Your time is valuable, don't let it get sucked away by someone intent on highjacking your joy.
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Couple Connection
Star light, star bright, how 'bout seeing a meteor shower tonight?
Between August 12 and 13, head away from city lights to watch the Perseid meteor shower. Pack a dinner, picnic blanket and bug spray and your patience.
Scientists say the best time to see the meteor shower will be right before dawn depending on the moon's phase. So maybe a thermos of coffee is a better idea?
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Most kids and some parents are sad to see summer come to a close, but one way to get excited about the coming year is to consider the possibilities with your kids.
Ask your kids what their hopes are for the new year and what they're specifically looking forward to in the coming school year. Is there a special grade-specific project coming up? An upcoming extracurricular activity they've never gotten to try until now? Or a new responsibility that gives them a sense of grown-up independence?
When my son was entering third grade, he was excited for the American Hero project and animal project that he and his classmates would get to do. Ever since he was a kindergartner, he'd watched the bigger kids do these projects so for him it felt like an important rite of passage and one that gave him a sense of pride and motivation.
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Community Connection
Moms know that the most difficult time of the day tends to be the so-called "witching hour" between 4 and 6 p.m. when little ones are cranky, hungry and tired. If you're a parent whose partner travels frequently for work or typically works late, these evenings can be especially challenging and long.
When I was a member of Mothers & More, a group of us would gather for an event called HOOT Owl (which stands for "Husbands Out of Town or Working Late"). Try organizing something similar with your mother's group or friends.
Plan a periodic potluck/playdate in the late afternoon/early evening with a few moms who could use the support too. The kids get to play while you all catch up and eat dinner together. And the best part? Usually, kids are so exhausted afterwards, getting them off to bed is a cinch.
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Connect with me!
Do you have a question, comment, resource or story idea that you'd like to share? Please email me at [email protected].
Who am I?
I am a freelance journalist, author, wife and mom. Through my writing and research, I explore relationship issues facing many of today's moms and families. To learn more about me, visit me
here.
*Know someone who'd enjoy this newsletter? Please forward it along.*
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