Experiencing the "Lasts"

This time of year I grow tired of the heat! Just the idea of a cool front gives a pep to my step. According to DFW Airport, today on September 10, 2014, we experienced a record warm low of only 79 degrees and a record high of 101 degrees. I think I heard our family favorite weather guy, Pete Delkus, say this will be the last 100 degree of 2014. Whew! Bring on the cooler weather!

This reminds me of life.

Pete brought up something that usually we don't notice... the last. These moments slowly slip away. You will be scrubbing your child's hair in the bath one night and from that day on they will want to do it alone. They will reach up for your hand as you walk to school; then, one day you will extend your hand only to be told with a shake of the head not to hold hands. They will snuggle into you as you read together in the glow of the living room light. Then the cuddle part seems to stop.

When Braden was a small boy, he would yell from his cold bed, "Mommmmm.... come warm me up!" Then, that yell trailed off. I don't remember the day that was the last. I remember Brantley crying and hugging me when I would leave on a trip or for a conference. Then, the crying stopped.

The thing is... I don't remember the lasts. Those special times just ended. Right now I have a senior in high school. Experiencing "lasts" is what this year is about. After almost 18 years with my baby boy, I am savoring these last times.

So, wherever you are in your parenting journey, cherish those moments that will forever slip away into the "lasts." You will wish for one day back, just like I do. "Mommmmmm... come warm me up!" I promise, your children will turn out great! You will be pleasantly surprised at who they become. So, I encourage you to enjoy these days more and don't fret. Love these lasts!

To the greatest of days,

Mrs. Young

School is Over...Now What?

1. Clean out work and papers from the year. With your child, pick the items from the school year that both of you would like to preserve and throw the rest in the trash. I recommend keeping those things that show creativity and thinking. Worksheets do not accomplish that. 

2. Revisit goals from the beginning of the year. Have your child take ownership. Ask them, "How did you do on your goal? Did you meet it? Why or why not? What could I have done to help you? What are your goals for the next school year? What do you want to accomplish this summer? How will we get there?

3. Decide together on the plan for summer reading. Read. Read more. Build time into your daily routine for reading. Allow your child to read books that are on his/her reading level or easier. They will build fluency and confidence. Click on Mrs. Green's webpage for more ideas: http://res.southlakecarroll.edu/pages/Rockenbaugh_Elementary/Classes/GreenJulie 

4. Spend one minute a day to review math facts. This is easy.  First, master all addition facts. Then, move to subtractions facts, then multiplication and division facts. This can be done while brushing your teeth in the morning, driving to baseball practice, or while making lunch. One minute. Easy Peezy.

5. Teach your child about digital citizenship and internet safety. Put a time limit on the use of digital devices in your household. Kids and adults need time to unplug and be with one another. Carefully monitor and watch what your kids are doing on their devices. Follow the Making Sense blog: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog .

6. Play! Go outside. Last summer I invited you to join the staff and me in reading Play by Stuart Brown, M.D. We are continuing our efforts in focusing upon development of our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics learning. I hope this summer will provide you the opportunity to play with your children. Build, explore, construct, make, and investigate together. Play contributes significantly to brain growth and development. Another recommendation to read is Last Child in the Woods, by RichardLouv. This book describes what he calls Nature Deficit Disorder and the positive benefits of outdoor exploration on children’s physical and emotional health. Louv states, "The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”

7. Be happy. I see overachieving parents constantly putting themselves last. Science shows that in order to raise happy children, we must first be happy parents. Find something enjoyable for you. Read about how to raise happy kids: TIME Magazine article. "Ten-year-olds who are taught how to think and interpret the world optimistically are half as prone to depression when they later go through puberty."

Have a wonderful summer full of fun, wonder, exploration and play!

To the greatest of days,

Mrs. Young

A Message to Busy Moms

Rockenbaugh had our first ever Mother & Son Evening thanks to our wonderful Dads' Club and PTO! Moms and sons painted pottery, played games, ran in the gym, watched a movie, and had snacks. Many special memories were created last night. Rockenbaugh has the best families!

On the bottom right hand corner in the picture above of Mother and Son evening, you will find me along with my youngest son. He came and spent the evening at Rockenbaugh. As we went around talking with the boys and their moms, he and I discussed what good memories we had when he was little.  He did not remember the clothes that I did not get washed, the dishes that needed washing, or the other very long list of house duties that always seemed to call for my attention. My son remembered the crafts we made together, playing games with me, licking the frosting off the cake I made for the family, having his friends over to play soccer in the yard with half time snacks provided by me. He remembers those times we spent together doing the things that I thought were less important than my duties as a home manager. Your children will too. 

Braden in 4th grade with me  

Reflecting back, I remember at times feeling "how-will-i-make-it-to-the-end-of-the-day-with-this-to-do-list" popping up in my head way more than I wanted. I yelled when I didn't mean to. I spent too much time on the computer returning emails. I didn't schedule the dentist appointments every 6 months either. But, having the privledge to stand proudly with my son (he's actually a man now) on Friday night and reflect both verbally and mentally.......I wish I could go back and say to myself,  "Lisa, this lil' boy is only here for what will seem like a fleeting moment 17 years from now, go love on him and not only show him with words, go show that lil' boy with actions that he is a wonderful person. Tell him he will grow up to be a great man!"

Because he will!

Braden in 11th grade at RES with me

We moms serve in a rare club.....the mom club!
Push through.
Breathe in and out.
You will mess up. We all do. I did.
Say your sorry.
Hug more.
Laugh more.
Be present more.

It will all pay off! They will turn out better than you could have wanted or imagined......and maybe just maybe, even for a brief fleeting moment they will remember all of those special times together! I can assure you that 17 years from now, when that boy is a man, he will reach down to hug you and you won't want to let go. He will soothe your tender heart when he says "Thanks, Momma, for the time you gave me." Just like I experienced Friday night.

To the greatest of days,

Mrs. Young

Welcome back!

What a great time to refocus our efforts and energy after each of us has had time during this holiday season to hopefully rest and refresh. My favorite part of the holiday season is being provided the opportunity to sit back, take a deep breath, and reenergize myself for the upcoming second half of the school year.

I often ask myself a few questions and want to encourage you to do the same:

#1 What went well for me this past fall, be it professionally and personally?

#2 What areas can I improve upon?

#3 What is my greatest strength as a person? What is one thing I can do to improve upon my strength.

#4 What is my greatest weakness as a person? What is one thing I can do to improve upon my weakness.

#5 When summer starts, please fill in this sentence, "It is June, and I                                                   .

#6 In one year from now, what will be different for me and how will I make that happen?

Have a great start to the new year! Remember, kids matter. Elementary school days are the greatest of days. Take time to make them great!

Your friend,

Lisa Young