What I've learned throughout the pandemic. A note for the future Jami who will forget and maybe you.
1. A lesson I already knew: Students thrive on positive feedback; especially when they can't see your face. Remember this future Jami--You created "Digitally Jolly Ranchers" and projected good student work daily. Do this next year. Students are exposed to good work daily, and it honors those who are listening, learning, and applying what they have learned. Future Jami, you also may want to figure out how to create some type of digital bulletin board.
2. I like being home. Big time. It's my favorite place in the world. I also like making my home comfortable and beautiful. Don't forget that, Future Jami. You like projects. Do them. Don't drag your feet. You might like projects better than (or at least equal to) naps.
3. Jami, you are more productive at night. It's your natural rhythm. Don't begrudge it--just know it and embrace it. So is Rick Bragg. He never leaves his house before noon. You love his writing and he does it at night. Also, remember Rachel Held Evans wrote in her book that one of her big problems with church was that it started so early. You are not alone.
4. The back porch is a pleasant place to be.
5. Children are more resilient than we give them credit for. Emma and Logan needed ZERO help from Brad and me with school work--well, Logan needed help with his Rube Goldberg project, and he did make Cs on two quizzes, but then on his own Logan figured out how to do better than a C. Emma overslept two classes, but she emailed the teachers (the walk of shame) and figured it out. What they did need from us was guidance, compassion, food, conversations, and realistic standards.
6. Emma and Logan don't process through words; they process through behavior. Logan has slept with me for a week. Emma has slept-- a lot. There have been tears of frustration and angry words that have very little to do with anything other than a change in life. Remember Future Jami, the right response is almost always a hug or presence/listening. Very seldom is the right response more words.
7. Brad processes through lots of words :-). You don't have to protect yourself from that. You can just listen. He just needs to talk. Just because you don't need to talk doesn't mean you don't need to listen.
8. I have no idea what I think about anything until I'm still and by myself. Totally by myself. So, future Jami, lock the bathroom door! Take a walk alone without listening to a Podcast. Allow yourself to think.
9. Our family is our biggest asset, and we need to remove the distractions in our lives that prevent us from loving each other well. We like being rested. It's so nice. Our weekly church services together have been wonderful as well. We miss church, but after this is over, we need to find special ways to connect with God with each other.
10. Future Jami, don't forget that Bible reading and reading in general keep you centered. Don't get so busy or so tired that you stop studying and learning. Those things are life giving to you. It is also life-giving to have a bubble bath on Saturday. Keep that up.
1. A lesson I already knew: Students thrive on positive feedback; especially when they can't see your face. Remember this future Jami--You created "Digitally Jolly Ranchers" and projected good student work daily. Do this next year. Students are exposed to good work daily, and it honors those who are listening, learning, and applying what they have learned. Future Jami, you also may want to figure out how to create some type of digital bulletin board.
2. I like being home. Big time. It's my favorite place in the world. I also like making my home comfortable and beautiful. Don't forget that, Future Jami. You like projects. Do them. Don't drag your feet. You might like projects better than (or at least equal to) naps.
3. Jami, you are more productive at night. It's your natural rhythm. Don't begrudge it--just know it and embrace it. So is Rick Bragg. He never leaves his house before noon. You love his writing and he does it at night. Also, remember Rachel Held Evans wrote in her book that one of her big problems with church was that it started so early. You are not alone.
4. The back porch is a pleasant place to be.
5. Children are more resilient than we give them credit for. Emma and Logan needed ZERO help from Brad and me with school work--well, Logan needed help with his Rube Goldberg project, and he did make Cs on two quizzes, but then on his own Logan figured out how to do better than a C. Emma overslept two classes, but she emailed the teachers (the walk of shame) and figured it out. What they did need from us was guidance, compassion, food, conversations, and realistic standards.
6. Emma and Logan don't process through words; they process through behavior. Logan has slept with me for a week. Emma has slept-- a lot. There have been tears of frustration and angry words that have very little to do with anything other than a change in life. Remember Future Jami, the right response is almost always a hug or presence/listening. Very seldom is the right response more words.
7. Brad processes through lots of words :-). You don't have to protect yourself from that. You can just listen. He just needs to talk. Just because you don't need to talk doesn't mean you don't need to listen.
8. I have no idea what I think about anything until I'm still and by myself. Totally by myself. So, future Jami, lock the bathroom door! Take a walk alone without listening to a Podcast. Allow yourself to think.
9. Our family is our biggest asset, and we need to remove the distractions in our lives that prevent us from loving each other well. We like being rested. It's so nice. Our weekly church services together have been wonderful as well. We miss church, but after this is over, we need to find special ways to connect with God with each other.
10. Future Jami, don't forget that Bible reading and reading in general keep you centered. Don't get so busy or so tired that you stop studying and learning. Those things are life giving to you. It is also life-giving to have a bubble bath on Saturday. Keep that up.
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