NANA SAYS WITH JUNE COMES THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR ACTIVITIES

One Mom recently commented she could not believe June was here. For a Nana it does not impact me very much, but for working parents it means the winding down of a school year. For those going to High School, the graduation and where they will go for the next school year. For the little ones leaving Kindergarten and facing Grade 1 in the Fall there can be anxiety all around. For the big ones deciding on which university or college the anxiety is heightened as there are worries about the final marks and scholarships-well you get the picture. The schools all have parties and end of year activities. The dance recitals and even a birthday or two in June can cause the most grounded parent to feel the stress. Needless to say, take it a day at a time and find some joy that there are memories to be created. I still remember the sweet "little graduation" ceremony when one of my children was graduating to Grade 1. The pictures on the front lawn in their dance outfits! Too often the focus is on the stress and not the event! Breath deeply and stop-maybe not to smell the roses but to view what is happening in front of your eyes. Of course with all the I-phones, cameras, videos and other gadgets there will be lots of pictures but really take time to take in the moment! It seems the busy-ness of little children will last forever but it does not! Do you want your children just to remember how rushed you were or do you want them to believe you enjoyed them? Make meal preparation simple or perhaps one of the activities has food involved so you can eat there. Try to make it fun! Make it meaningful! June can be the transition month to the summer. So as May winds down and June revs up- be prepared for the ride! Of course, if needed use those willing grandparents as your backup! Even an aunt or uncle or two is there when you need them!