Taking Steps......

Ahhhhhh, back to school.........





From the tearful first days of preschool, to the last first days of high school, and every stage of school in between, it's important to mark it. All of it.

Whether you choose to do so with photos, a special breakfast, or by simply taking a beat, a breath, a moment, to let it sink in. Don't let these days pass as 'just another day.'

Every grade represents a new chapter, a new adventure, a new challenge.

The first day of preschool is a big one. This is your child's first taste of the structure and discipline of a school atmosphere. This first experience plays a big part in setting the tone for how your little one feels about school for the long haul. Making it positive is pretty important. For the little ones, it may be a bit overwhelming, but mostly, incredibly exciting! Taking steps.

Allow them to begin to make little decisions, accepting the consequences, good and bad.

For the parents, especially if it's your first one, it can be tough. It's a big milestone. Your baby is taking their first real step into the world where you can't fully protect them. It's scary, rough, but necessary.

Listen to the stories about their day, every day.

For kids in the younger grades, the challenges, and adventures can feel a bit intimidating. They are no longer the little cute kids in school, teachers begin to expect more. More independence, more responsibility, more maturity. The material gets more challenging, requiring more thought, more depth, more time. With every success their confidence grows, with every setback, so does their character. They are getting better at navigating the world, learning how to handle different personalities and situations. Taking steps.

Allow them to make more meaningful decisions, accepting the consequences, good and bad.

For the parents, this can be difficult, as they have to begin looking at their little one through a different lens. It can be a tough thing, to not over-help.


Listen to the stories about their day, every day.


Junior high school. A tumultuous time of peer influences, pubescent drama, growth spurts, both physical and emotional. They feel a greater need for independence but can be intimidated by that same independence. Other than when they are toddlers, I believe this to be the time wherein children have to absorb the most information. Everything, including their own bodies, becomes weird and foreign. Their relationships with their parents, siblings, and friends are shifting gears at, what feels like, the speed of light. They can feel overwhelmed by what they can perceive to be an ever growing list of expectations. They are beginning to have to make real choices about how they want to be in the world, what kind of adult they want to become. Taking steps.


Allow them to make bigger, more important decisions, accepting the consequences, good and bad.

For the parents, it can be tricky waters to navigate. They need you, but, basically, don't want to admit it. They generally aren't as eager to share with you everything that is going on in their lives. You will have to listen harder. Nurture the independence in the most positive way possible, but don't forget you are the parent. They still need parents. Yes, they will mutter nasty things about you under their breath and to their friends. That's okay, it just means you're doing your job.


Make sure they know you want to listen to the stories about their day. Be sure to ask, every day.


The last first. This is the beginning of the bridge year. The bridge between childhood and adulthood. They, at this point, should be making the majority of the decisions affecting their life, taking your input into consideration in making those decisions. They've had practice, they've been making choices and decisions all along with increasing importance, accepting whatever consequence their decision lead to. They feel they are ready to be a grown up, that they know everything they need to know, often feeling that they know way more than their parents do. They still need you. Taking steps.

For the parents, the teaching of life skills during this year becomes much more important. The little chores and responsibilities they've had and done, the cleaning of their rooms, putting away toys, cutting grass, making their own lunches, doing dishes, having a bank account, have all lead to things they need to learn during their bridge year. They need to learn how to cook at least one full, nutritious meal, how to, and the importance of, paying your bills on time, how to do their laundry, and do it well. They need to learn the importance of being a good roommate, chances are they will need one at some point after they leave home. They still need you.


Listen to the stories about their day, every day, for this is the final year that you are likely to have that opportunity. You will miss it.



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Well folks, it has been another crazy busy week at the shop, with some mobile jobs and grandbaby snuggles thrown into the mix. It's awesome!

It's been so busy, in fact, that I haven't had a chance to get the posters made for the upcoming trade shows!

Hopefully in the upcoming week.

Speaking of which....

We are off to play a for our nephew's wedding this weekend!!!!!!

It will be another busy one at the shop.....

HAVE TO MAKE POSTERS!!!!!!

Rehearse for the concert at the park we are doing on the 17th!




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With back to school in mind, I'll leave you with this wish......



May you get through these hectic first days, finding your new routine, your new groove.
May nothing get forgotten, books, lunches, jackets, backpacks, may it all make it to the school.

May the excitement of a new year be carried throughout, never losing its shine.
May you know this is highly unlikely, that's why there are school breaks....and wine.

May you keep in mind that there is no such thing as perfect, no matter how perfect others' lives may seem.
May you find your own 'perfect' with your perfectly flawed crew, your perfectly amazing team.



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Until next time..........


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