Mindful Monday: Our Sanity Depends On It

As an adult, I'd like to think that I'm wiser than my younger self. I'd like to believe that I've learned lessons along the way. I'd also like to think that, at this point in my life, I realize that I don't have all the answers, and that my way isn't the only way. 

While I'd like to think of myself as "evolved" and not egocentric, I relate to this El Arroyo quote way too much. 

As a self diagnosed Type A, control freak, I find it terribly hard to delegate. At the same time, there are not enough hours in the day for me to single handedly handle "all the things". We were never meant to be on this journey alone, nor are we expected to do it all alone. 

Becoming a wife and mother has only added things to my plate, so I have been forced to delegate, forced to adjust my expectations, and learn to be okay with "good enough" sometimes. 

Here's the headline in all of this: My children folding and putting away their laundry doesn't make their clothes any less clean, perhaps more wrinkly - but it's still clean and put away. Letting my husband load the dishwasher, regardless if the space isn't utilized efficiently, still gets the dishes done. And when a co-worker offers to help, the task gets done regardless if it's not the way I would have gone about it. 

For our own sanity, we have to let others help! We have to delegate and let it be "just okay" sometimes. Being flexible is not just a skill, it's an essential skill to our sanity and survival. 

Mindful Monday: Your Country Depends on It

I’m go​i​ng to go off ​t​opic today, so bear with me. I promise not to get into the weeds, but I hope you hear me out.

Did you know early voting started today? I fully realize that statement alone may elicit an automatic eye roll, because if you're feeling anything like me, I am beyond over all the election season shenanigans. However, early voting is now open until ​Friday, November ​1. While I absolutely realize this is a big election year as we are voting for the next president, that’s not why ​I​ come to you today​. Truthfull​y​, I don’t care who you vote for​. I don’t care which ​w​ay you lean​. I'm just here to implore you to vote. So​, I’m go​ing to leave you with the top three reasons why I think you should vote​.

​Reason #1: Voting impacts ​o​ur future​. The people that we put into power create laws and rules that directly impact our daily living.​ Don't you want a say? 

Reason ​#​2: ​We are fortunate enough to live in The United States of America. That privilege comes with the responsibility to be active participants in our government. ​A democracy only works if we do our part- vote. 

Reason ​#​3: While slightly silly, I’ve always believed if you don’t vote, then you can’t complain​. If you don’t like how something is​, vote​. While I realize the outcome might not always be how you would prefer, at least you participated​ and had to say​. If enough people vote and voice their opinion​, that’s how change happens​.

Things to know for early voting​: 

• ​In Texas, you can vote anywhere in the county ​i​n which you live. 
• There are more early voting places than you may realize the hours are quite flexible​, typically 7am-7pm. In Texas, they ​are even opened on the weekend. ​
• Did you know that when you vote​, you don’t have to vote for everything on the ballot​? If you come across a person or a proposition that you are not knowledgeable on​, you are allowed to skip it.  

 

​Your vote matters. 

Your voice matters. 

Your participation in th​i​s civic privilege matters. 

Regardless of which side of the aisle you stand on, it is imperative that we all participate in this (and every) election. 

Learn more about the candidates and propositions

https://www.vote411.org/ 

Mindful Monday: Courage v Stupidity

Adulting is HARD! And no matter how long you've been at it, it doesn't get any easier. 

One of the many distinctions between being an adult and an adolescent is all the decisions you have to make. That coupled with being a teacher and having 22 sets of eyes looking at you for guidance, there are a ridiculous amount of decisions that you make on any given day. It's exhausting to say the least. 

While some decisions are no-brainers, there are absolutely decisions that take a little extra courage to make. It's the courage needed to take a leap of faith, to try something new, to go for something, or to change direction altogether. 

When making decisions, there are no guarantees. There is no crystal ball to tell us that we are doing the right thing. There is no way to know how it will all work out. And here is the hard truth, it doesn't always work out. 

Hindsight is 20/20. It's easy to look back and judge how you handled a situation, second guess a choice you made, or even occasionally realize what a bone-headed decision you made. 

It's not about being perfect. It's not about having all the answers. It's not about knowing what to do all the time. Instead, focus on being proud of yourself for showing courage when the situation required it and owning and giving yourself grace during situations where perhaps stupidity crept in. 

Wishing you a year where all your decisions are not hard decisions, but when they are, you have the courage to take the leap to make the next best, next right decision. 

You've got this! 

Mindful Monday: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are around the corner. And like most things in life, it can come with mixed emotions. 

On one hand, it's one more thing to do. It's another task that needs your attention. And let's face it, meeting with parents is hardly my idea of fun.

Here's the thing, Parent-Teacher Conferences can also be a fantastic way to set the tone for the rest of the year. It is a great way to build a positive relationship with your students' families. And it always provides priceless insights to helping our students succeed. 

I wanted to leave you with 5 things to consider before Parent-Teacher Conferences next week. 

1. As teachers, we naturally have goals that we want to help our students reach during their time with us. However, when was the last time we asked parents what their goal for the school year was for their child? 
2. Every year I try to find authentic ways to brag on my students to their families. While this is an excellent time for that, I would also like to encourage you to consider flipping the role. Ask parents to brag about their child to you. Watch their faces light up! 
3. While I realize that most teachers send newsletters via email to our families regularly, messages can often be lost in translation. This is a great time to communicate and/or clarify expectations for the year. 
4. Not only is this a great time to get to know our students' families, it is an equally great time for them to get to know you and see that you are on their team. 
5. Finally, most Parent-Teacher Conferences happen during the school day, which is great for us, but not always as convenient for our working families. Be sure to thank them for their time and being a partner in their child's education. We can't do it without them! 

Ideas: 

• Consider posting a "Proud Parent Fridge" in your classroom for parents to write/brag about their student. Imagine what that will do to our student's confidence in class to see how proud someone is of them at home. (I realize not all parents come to conferences. For those who don't have something written on the fridge, you or another staff member could brag about students on the fridge, as well.)
• Consider sharing resources with your parents like a Handle With Care note or Instead of How Was Your Day questions.