Monthly Archives: June 2025

Summer Celebration

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Are you ready for the Fourth?

It’s been a flurry of activity with the school year ending, our exchange student leaving, and transitioning into summer. I’d equate it to a high-intensity training session and we’re now in the cool-down/recovery period. 😅

We are gearing up for the Fourth though I anticipate it being more low-key for us this year, with some family members on the road, and no need (or energy?) to try to make something spectacular happen. Kind of a bummer. Kids and the Fourth tend to be some of my happiest memories.

The Fourth is usually associated with family, friends, community, and celebrating our country with food and fireworks. I’m reminded of parades we’ve participated in or BBQs we’ve hosted or attended. Each feeling special in how that brought so many people together.

How will you be celebrating the Fourth? What summer celebrations do you look most forward to?

I’ll be taking time off over the holiday weekend and back mid-July. Happy Fourth!

Mr. Incredible

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Dad’s don’t always get the (parenting) glory. My dad is human, so not perfect, but he’s pretty incredible — being present, acknowledging me in ways that showed he was paying attention, guiding me, teaching me, prompting me, pushing me to be my best, and letting me know he loves me. While I’m an adult, I still see my dad through my childhood eyes.

My husband is incredible with our boys — he’s present, shares wisdom, listens, teaches skills, shows an interest in their interests, gets involved, and lets my sons know they’re loved. My kids are fortunate.

Dads play an equally important role in raising our children. To those that are showing up and leaning in to be the best dad you can be, thank you!

Your kid(s) may not say it, but I’m guessing they’d agree they think you’re pretty incredible too.

Happy Father’s Day! I’ll be off next week for some family time and back again later this month.

Rounding the Bases and Sliding into Home

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That’s what this time of year feels like to me. It’s filled with of end of the year activities — the school play wrapping up for my youngest, graduation upcoming for our exchange student, our oldest wrapping up his first year of college and coming home for the summer, and family in town to visit and celebrate milestones.

It can be a lot in a few short weeks. It can feel intense with the schedule – get kid x here and kid y there, keeping track of where kids are 😂 as there seem to be a flurry of friend meet-ups jammed in right at the end of the school year, get everyone fed, get work done, etc. It can feel intense, but also memorable and I really try to stay present though it isn’t always easy.

Our exchange student leaves us in a few weeks 🥹, I haven’t even let myself really come to terms with that yet, or that my youngest will be a senior next year, and I only have one more “rounding-of-the-bases” from a school year perspective to go. Gulp!

What is the end of the school year like for your family? What are you glad is over and what do (or will) you miss?

Navigating Teen Love

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Who was your first crush?

There were several I had in my youth. A boy, named, Brian, gave me butterflies in my stomach in the 3rd grade. 😊

Navigating love isn’t easy for most. There is risk, joy and pain. Our exchange student went to prom and had a great time. The hem fabric solution we used to shorten her dress worked great (the pre-prom panic all for naught). She was excited to be asked and to go, but wasn’t particularly interested in her date. Not because he wasn’t handsome or nice, but because she is going home soon and didn’t see the benefit of starting anything with anyone with so little time left. Let’s just say, the poor guy was a little heartbroken. He clearly hoped there could be something between them, even if it was short lived.

As a parent, I’ve tried to be as honest with my kids (and our exchange student) on things I’ve learned during my life around relationships, communication, empathy, and confidence (in who you are, and what you have to offer others). My hope is that by sharing, the kids have some perspective, don’t feel alone, or draw conclusions that are negative about themselves (I’m not good enough, no one will ever like me). The boy wanting something to happen made it a bit awkward for our exchange student, put I was proud of her for speaking honestly with him about her feelings. It is hard to let someone down.

I had several crushes through my teens and early 20s, and only in hindsight am I glad they didn’t work out. There was heartbreak — and boy did it hurt. But we get back up and try again, and if we’re lucky we find our person.

Helping teens navigate love is hard. Social media, and smartphones (everything can be captured) puts another lens or pressure I didn’t experience. I’m grateful, but at the same time, finding love is the same regardless of the day and age — knowing who you are, knowing the key qualities you want in a partner, and chemistry. You have to be willing to invest, be vulnerable (brave), and tenacious. Particularly hard when you are experiencing heartbreak.

How are you helping your teen navigate love?