Making Mealtime Special Making mealtime special can involve doing something out of the ordinary, like dusting off and using that “look-but-don’t-touch” teapot and teacup combo for breakfast. It can also include preparing meals as a family and eating them together around the table (or via FaceTime, if you’re unable to be with your family right now). Eating together as a…
Lesson Learned As our family begins our 3rd week of distance learning, my list of “lessons learned” continues to grow. One lesson that is abundantly clear—it’s time for more structure, and self-compassion. Ready To Slow Down After the whirlwind that often typifies the Lanier Experience: our recent relocation to a new city (Atlanta) for my husband’s new job, downsizing into…
It’s May—the main month of spring! It’s also the last month of school before summer break. The month when we encourage our children and students to “finish the year strong”… yet recognize their fatigue, because we are feeling it ourselves. Knowing summer is around the corner is exciting! It also leaves many introverted parents feeling slightly conflicted—especially if they work from…
The Overparenting Trap A great deal of pressure is placed on kids to succeed these days. When it looks like our children aren’t achieving to our satisfaction, parents often jump in and “help” them along. We let them know—through our words and our actions—that their efforts aren’t meeting our standards. While we may not realize we’re doing this, I think we…
How abandoning my Saturday things-to-do list at my daughter’s urging, helped me to live in the moment and enjoy a perfect mommy-daughter afternoon adventure. Saturday had arrived and I had my weekend chore list in hand, ready to engage and conquer, item by item. I was on chore #3 (loading the dishwasher), when my daughter quietly came to me and…
