πŸ˜“ Growing Pains


"Maybe that's just how it goes when you're not fully grown"

Relationships by Haim (such a good song!)

🍎 New workshop dates!! CMS Magnet schools on your mind? Save $10 with code EARLY10

Hey Reader,

This summer I have felt a lot of growing pains with my business. It's grown a lot (yay!) but that also means a lot of new tasks, experiments, and reflecting to do better next time. I've expanded into workshops, doubled my check in calls, and booked public speaking gigs this fall.

Simply put- the business is on it's way from being a little kid to big kid.

I had to make a few big kid decisions this month for my business. Like, I took the leap to start using a ticketing service for my workshops.

But what does this have to do with your kids?

With all these new opportunities, I am starting to feel some real growing pains. I'm reminded of the growing pains I felt as a kid (both physical and metaphorical). It's a sign of change to come, but it feels painful to move into it.

If your baby is starting to feel the squeeze moving into a new phase of life, keep this in mind:

  • Regression: Big changes can lead to regression. This may look like being really needy, bedwetting, or feeling nostalgic about baby toys. This book is a great guide to help you understand how children will react to change based on their age.
  • Listen: Make yourself available as a sounding board - the safe loving adult they can share their fears to. This is their first time experiencing this new phase, stand by their side as they figure it out.
  • Push: We can sit and let kids figure things out, but at the end of the day sometimes they just need to be told. If there's a simple answer on how to organize themselves- give it to them. They'll still need plenty of time to get used to this change.

What does this look like for me? Well Primary Focus has always run on a shoestring budget. I have taken a lot of time to learn new skills to do it myself for free. Now, I don't have time like I used to. I'm feeling the squeeze to hire help for some projects this fall. For the first time, I'm going to try and buy my time back...and maybe, just maybe find someone who can do it better.

What's New?

🍎 Workshops: New workshop dates just dropped- and the first one is next week! Hope to see you there.

πŸ“š Literacy Fest: I'm so excited to present at Little Learners Literacy Fest! This family friendly event will be Sat August 23 in Charlotte, NC. Tickets are free and RSVP'ing is encouraged. Plus They are offering free hearing screenings for all kids (if you think your child may need speech therapy this is important)

Things I Love

πŸ’» Macs on Sale?: If you've been thinking about a discount, Mac is having a rare sale on MacBook Air. I've had my Air for years and LOVE it. At Walmart you can save $50...and yes they have the gold one in stock!

β˜€οΈ Skincare Sale: Dermstore is having their anniversary sale with most products 20-30% off (code: CHEERS). I picked up my fav Sunday Riley product (I'm DYING it's called Good Genes- sorry Sydney Sweeny!) and stocked up on Elta MD sunscreens.​

πŸ’© Your dishwasher stinks: Yeah I said it- time to clean it! Use this cleaner once a month to keep it fresh.

Thanks for reading today! What growing pains are you feeling at home?

Primary Focus Newsletter

Learn about the latest news in education and tips to help your kids thrive in elementary school. Delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. Primary Focus was founded by Natalie Parmenter, a former kindergarten teacher to guide parents through elementary school. We provide information that is often common knowledge to teachers but is not widely known among parents. Primary Focus is dedicated to enlightening parents on all things elementary school so their children can thrive.

Read more from Primary Focus Newsletter
woman wearing blue denim jacket holding book

"Make it up as we go along" This Must be the Place by Talking Heads 🍎 Virtual School Talk Workshop this Wednesday! Watch live or get the recording after, save your spot now Hi Reader, So, let's talk about report cards... Today's newsletter is inspired by 2 readers! They asked: β€œWhy are report cards so unhelpful?” and β€œWhy are my child’s grades suddenly so low?” Report Cards as Legal Documents:Report cards can impact everything from car insurance rates for teens, to custody decisions, to...

Natalie Poses with 5th Graders in a Grainy Disposable Camera Pic

"I'm just a kid and life is a nightmare" I'm just a kid by Sum 41 (pull out your old CDs the kids LOVE 2000s rock and emo) Hi Reader, 🍎 One week til the next School Talk workshop! Save your spot here Oh to be 11... Not little anymore, but not big either Getting those first tastes of freedom "do you want to stay home?" But not so free to go at it alone There are two grades in elementary school that are considered extreme: Kindergarten and Fifth Grade. The kids are in unique ages and need...

Natalie holding microphone speaking to a group of people

"It's actually sweet, all the time you've spent on me" Actually Romantic by Taylor Swift (loving the new album!) Hi Reader, πŸ‘‹ Welcome to my 20 new email subscribers! It was so great meeting you at the Chantilly Neighborhood Association last week Help! I hate my child's teacher I met someone at a school fair last week that anxiously confided to me that she hates her daughter's teacher. I could tell this concern had been eating away at her. She listed a number of things: the teacher was...