Summer Love List

From the desk of Alice…

The season of summer is upon us.  Thank goodness.

In her book, The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin reminds us “It’s about living in the moment and appreciating the smallest things. Surrounding yourself with the things that inspire you and letting go of the obsessions that want to take over your mind. It is a daily struggle sometimes and hard work but happiness begins with your own attitude and how you look at the world.”

I have talked with many families and educators recently who are struggling to find their happiness in the midst of the year-end scramble to finish.  Even the celebrations don’t feel like fun because we have so many things on our plates.  The eve of summer is upon us and I wanted to take Mrs. Rubin’s advice and consider three simple things I love about summer:

1.  Summer is magic.  It is magical not only for kids who have a taste of freedom, but also for educators who need to recharge.  We all need to catch our breath and summer affords us the opportunity to change our routines a little and adjust our perspective.  What is not to love about sunshine, fireworks, and if you are lucky, a little salty breeze?!?

2.  Summer gives you time to read.  Help your kids find a topic they are curious about, an author worth learning about or a book that is just plain awesome.  Then devour it.  Talk all about it and consider the next thing/author/book on the list that interests you naturally.  Then go read it!

3.  Summer is full of life lessons.  Yep.  (spoiler alert) In the middle of the sunshine, fireworks and salty breezes, there may be some conflict (better known as screaming and crying). It’s normal and it is in those places that we teach our children how to handle life by the way we react.  It is our reactions they will soak in and mirror when things might not go their way (later in the summer or generally in life).

You made it.  Your kids made it.  Your family made it.

Exhale and take a few minutes/days/weeks to collect yourself.

Healthy people make healthy schools. (tweet that)

We will celebrate fall when it arrives, but for this moment, celebrate summer.

PS- Send us what would be on your Summer Love List.  We will be continuing ours over the next few months…