"And what it all comes down to, is that I haven't got it all figured out just yet"

Hand In My Pocket by Alanis Morisette

Hi Reader,

As a business owner I've been deep in thought about the struggle. Q1 is ending and I'm reflecting on the goals I did and didn't meet...but let's be real, mostly on the ones I didn't meet 😖 Last week I picked my anxious self off the floor and made a few calls asking for help. Instead of using all my brain power trying to solve problems I didn't understand, I sought out role models who solve the same problems all day every day.

These challenges feel hard on me because I'm an adult. I know how to do most things I encounter in my day. Usually I'm battling will power rather than questioning how to do it.

But Kids? Kids are in the struggle all day, every day

They say it's good to let kids struggle, that's how they become independent. But where is the line between struggling and jumping in to help? When does the struggle stop being productive? Here are a few things to consider:

• ⏰ attention span: children have very short attention spans, so it's important to keep an eye on the clock when learning. there is a formula to figure out your child's attention span. Make sure to give your child breaks and don't spring a challenge on them at the end of homework time. School projects are a great time to embrace the struggle if you work in chunks over a period of time.
• 👷‍♀️ scaffolding: The struggle doesn't have to be completely independent. You can send your child in the right direction. Scaffolding is a term used in education to describe where the teacher provides temporary support to guide a child until they are independent.
  • For example, when I teach a child about a new spelling rule, I guide them to figure it out. If we are discussing spelling patterns for "long vowel a" (skate, paint, hay) then I will have the child find words with "long vowel a" in a reading passage, make a list, and then sort the list by the spelling patterns.
  • Then they can discover when to use -ai vs -ay. They still struggled, but by scaffolding the process, I could ensure they were set up for success.
• 🎀 there's a best way to do it: let's be honest, not everything is that complicated. As much as I love inquiry learning, there's a time and place for it. If you need something done in a specific way, then teach it that way. As your child makes their own processes, they can use that as a good model.

What's New?

🐶 Puppies!: March has been a very fun month to get involved in the community! Last weekend I participated in a family friendly dog adoption event hosted by Billie's Buddies (give em a follow on instagram!) I had fun answering questions from parents, challenging kids to a reading game, and snuggling with all the puppies.

Let's Chat: I want to meet parents and caretakers where they're at, so we can have real discussions on supporting your kids in schools. I'd love to talk to your book club, HOA group, or at your workplace. Curious? Reply to this email to learn about programming.

Things I Love

🌮 family game night: My favorite game for kids Taco vs Burrito is marked down to $15.97 right now! (almost 40% off) Think Uno created by a goofy 8 year old. Mental math, strategy, and lots of laughter.

🪮 Luscious Hair: My fav deep conditioning hair masks are 50% off today only. I use the "frizz dismiss" one, but there are 5 varieties for many hair types.

🩴 Sandals??: I need some new sandals for spring time. Do you have a pair or brand you love? Send your recs my way.

Y'all, the struggle is real! Take care of yourself and be good to each other 🩷