Greetings to you from a seriously cold winter’s day!

 

What a wonderfully simple time the dead of winter is, compared to the extraordinary hustle of the past holiday celebration with four children, eight grandchildren, and many relatives!

 

As I chuckled at our granddaughter (fourteen months) eating the candy canes off the Christmas tree, I reflected on how different the rules are for children than grandchildren.  For sure, our children would have had nutritional regulations far too strict to have allowed for eating that many candy canes off the tree!  Ah-h-h-h, the gift of age and short term responsibilities of grandparents!

 

The saying “everything in moderation” is undoubtedly as applicable today as it was generations ago.

 

As we supervise the development of young people, their adventures and hobbies, it is important to guide them in developing a vast variety of experiences that will serve them well.  What we know for certain is that the world these youngsters will face will provide challenges and opportunities unlike any we can even imagine.  For this “new world” they must be prepared with skills and flexibility. 

 

It is a strange thing this “flexibility.”  On the one hand, we must build flexibility into their developing years.  They must learn to try new things, be with new people, experience new problems, and learn to use new opportunities well.  On the other hand, I have written before about the consistency essential to building a child’s security that should be evident within their homes and schools.  These same young people need to know that the adults in their lives are constant and available as a support mechanism.  Adolescents, as much as younger children, need to have solid adults to encourage them and advise them through their trials and tribulations. 

 

“Everything in moderation” is so true. 

 

Too much praise, not good.  No praise, not good.

Too much advice and counsel, not good.  No advice and counsel, not good.

Too much technology, not good.  No technology, not good.

Too much social time, not good.  No friends, not good.

Too much candy, not good.  Absolutely no candy, not good.

 

Issues such as “moderation in child rearing” will be addressed at our February 23rd Community Conversation (at the Superintendent’s home, 4:00 p.m. …call our office to register).  If your schedule does not allow, please know that our staff is always here to support you and visit with you regarding Coventry young people and their development.  Your Coventry Public School staff is skilled and so caring about our young charges.  Should you ever have questions regarding developmental issues, please do feel free to speak with us. 

 

As always, I, too, am available for appointments and would love to have a conversation.

 

Enjoy the winter stillness.

 

Donna