- Today with Tamara
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- Lessons from the end of the school year
Hi girlfriend, how are you?
Today was the last day of school, and I got to sit with my daughter as she showed me all the beautiful artwork she created in her 4th-grade class (cue the tears!). Among her creations were a compass with "Calmness, Confidence, Creativity, and Caring" as its points, a mindfulness box with my sun logo and the words "I am confident in who I am," and a sunfish inscribed with "Be confident in myself." Seeing these pieces filled me with pride and made me reflect on the lessons we teach our children and how they carry them forward, even when we're not around.
As a mom and entrepreneur who preaches about the importance of showing up, shining bright, and building confidence, seeing my daughter internalize and express these values through her art was a powerful reminder that our words and actions impact those around us.
So, I want to turn the conversation to you: What did you learn from your parents? What messages did you grow up with, and what are your kids (or pets!) saying now? What would you want to pass on? Life reflects what we've learned and how we've been taught. We can choose to repeat these lessons or forge our own path.
Here are some creative ways to start living more like the person you aspire to be and passing on those positive lessons:
Create a Personal Mantra: Think of a phrase that embodies your core values. Write it down, repeat it daily, and share it with your loved ones. For me, it’s “In my sunshine era.” This mantra serves as a guiding light, especially on tough days.
Practice What You Preach: Demonstrate the qualities you want to instill in others. If you value creativity, make time for it. Take on new challenges and share your experiences—don't be so busy that you become a hypocrite. I do that all the time - tell the kids not to be on their iPads and then sit on my computer. UGH.
Explore New Hobbies Together Find a hobby or activity you and your child can enjoy. Whether it’s cooking, gardening, or learning a new language (our entire family does Duolingo daily), exploring new interests can be a fun way to bond and grow together. I will start working with sea glass and shells to make art.
Encourage Open Conversations: Create a safe space for open talk about feelings, goals, and challenges. Ask your kids what they’re proud of and struggling with, and share your experiences. This builds trust and reinforces the value of vulnerability. We just talked today about how getting a “no” directs you to something better (I will use that line when they want to sit on the iPad all day)!
Lead by Example in Self-Care: Show that taking care of yourself is essential. Whether through mindfulness practices, exercise, or simply taking a break, demonstrate that self-care is a priority. This teaches others that it’s okay to take time for themselves and do it together! After dinner, I love going for a walk around the block. Sometimes, I go alone, and sometimes with my kids or neighbors. It's a healthy habit for everyone!
Embrace Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: When mistakes happen, use them as teachable moments. Share what you learned from the experience and how you plan to move forward. This shows resilience and the importance of growth. I share mine all the time (I have a lot of them!), and it's great for me to get it off my chest and show the kids that life is full of lessons and an opportunity to learn from them and keep going!
Be Present: Getting caught up in the next task is easy in our busy lives. Make a conscious effort to be present in the moment. Put down your phone, listen actively, and engage fully with those around you. I need to work more on this. I'm ALWAYS thinking about the next step, and my phone is in my hand at ALL times. I’d love to have a day totally tech-free. I’m sad that this is a goal of mine, but it is, and I look forward to it!
Take Action on Family Challenges Identify a current challenge or problem within your family and commit to finding a solution. Whether improving communication, managing screen time, or resolving conflicts, taking proactive steps can lead to positive changes. Remember, solutions won't magically appear independently - improving things takes effort and action. So, gather your family, brainstorm ideas, and take decisive steps toward improvement.
Foster a Supportive Community: Surround yourself with a supportive network and encourage your friends and family to do the same. This collective support system can provide encouragement and accountability. Take the summer to work on friendships you WANT to develop, not those you feel you MUST because of school or clubs.
Reflect and Adapt: Regularly reflect on your actions and their impact. Are you living according to your values? Are there areas for improvement? Adapt as necessary and keep growing. While laying on the beach this summer, let your mind wander and think about your life and where you're spending your time. And then adjust accordingly. You're the boss, so act like it.
Remember, the things you say and do are being watched. Be a great mentor and teacher, and show pride in your actions. Here's to finishing the school year strong and shining bright every day. You've got this, mama!
Love you. Gotta go. Bye.✌🏻
xoxo
Tamara
P.S. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. What lessons did you learn from your parents, and what do you hope to pass on? Hit reply and share your stories!