I love when one solution knocks off multiple problems.
Here’s an example:
PROBLEMS
It’s a hot summer night and the kids are having a post-supper energy spike. I’m too exhausted to give them an evening bath, even if I did manage to corral them into the bathroom. And the neighbors are annoying me with their wasteful ways – their front yard sprinkler is mostly watering the sidewalk.
SOLUTION
Run through the sprinklers!
Bam. It’s magical.
Here’s another:
Here’s an example:
PROBLEMS
It’s a hot summer night and the kids are having a post-supper energy spike. I’m too exhausted to give them an evening bath, even if I did manage to corral them into the bathroom. And the neighbors are annoying me with their wasteful ways – their front yard sprinkler is mostly watering the sidewalk.
SOLUTION
Run through the sprinklers!
Bam. It’s magical.
Here’s another:
PROBLEMS
I want to get to know the other parents at my daughter’s school, but every time I see them, we’re rushing in opposite directions during drop-off or pick-up. I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight, don’t feel like cooking anyway. I wish my children could have more play dates with kids from the school, but our weekends are always a blur.
SOLUTION
Pre-K Parent Café
I went to my first Pre-K Parent Café last night. I had some seriously deep conversations with fellow parents, ate some awesome ziti and my kids got to run amuck with their favorite buds. So obviously, I’m sold and will never miss another one.
I want to get to know the other parents at my daughter’s school, but every time I see them, we’re rushing in opposite directions during drop-off or pick-up. I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight, don’t feel like cooking anyway. I wish my children could have more play dates with kids from the school, but our weekends are always a blur.
SOLUTION
Pre-K Parent Café
I went to my first Pre-K Parent Café last night. I had some seriously deep conversations with fellow parents, ate some awesome ziti and my kids got to run amuck with their favorite buds. So obviously, I’m sold and will never miss another one.
Let me break it down a little more, in case you’re not familiar or still (somehow!) not sold.
This is an ongoing series that hosts Langley families for a meal (usually a potluck, but last night was catered). After everyone has had plenty to eat, the kids are ushered off to spend time together in our fabulous second gym, under the watchful eye of a Langley teacher.
After the kids leave, the parents get down to some intense discussion along a specific theme. We began the evening discussing the theme with just one randomly chosen partner. Then there were several small group discussions and a closing discussion with the entire group. Every conversation is prompted with open-ended questions, so it’s not awkward. Truly, if there’s potential for awkwardness, I’m all over it. It went fine.
This is an ongoing series that hosts Langley families for a meal (usually a potluck, but last night was catered). After everyone has had plenty to eat, the kids are ushered off to spend time together in our fabulous second gym, under the watchful eye of a Langley teacher.
After the kids leave, the parents get down to some intense discussion along a specific theme. We began the evening discussing the theme with just one randomly chosen partner. Then there were several small group discussions and a closing discussion with the entire group. Every conversation is prompted with open-ended questions, so it’s not awkward. Truly, if there’s potential for awkwardness, I’m all over it. It went fine.
Last night’s theme was “Resilience: Bouncing Back in the New Year,” and let me tell you, we have some resilient parents, grandparents and great-grandparents raising our Langley tigers! I heard heartbreaking, uplifting and inspiring stories. I wish I could share more – but the rule is that these conversations are confidential. My family has been through so much in the last year, and it’s comforting to know we’re not alone in our struggle to bounce back.
It really was like a group counseling session that I didn’t have to pay for, but it was fun too. There were plenty of lighthearted moments – the Family Engagement Coordinator LaToya Smith is really good at keeping the mood from getting too heavy. So I solved my three problems with one solution, got some stuff off my chest and had fun doing it. Not bad for a Thursday night.
Join us Thursday, Feb. 15 for the next Pre-K Parent Café!
Read Jen Allen Billington’s experience at Parent Café.
By Dawn Madura
It really was like a group counseling session that I didn’t have to pay for, but it was fun too. There were plenty of lighthearted moments – the Family Engagement Coordinator LaToya Smith is really good at keeping the mood from getting too heavy. So I solved my three problems with one solution, got some stuff off my chest and had fun doing it. Not bad for a Thursday night.
Join us Thursday, Feb. 15 for the next Pre-K Parent Café!
Read Jen Allen Billington’s experience at Parent Café.
By Dawn Madura
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