1. Valentine’s links for the kitchen or the classroom 2. My favorite inbox Dear John letter (+ its insight into the autism spectrum) 3. Big Life Journal’s parenting hug: Why their experts say, “Losing friendships can be a good thing”
It’s that super-touchy time of year that you either love, loathe or link your social status to “it’s complicated.” Happy Valentine’s Day! How are all the feels at your place this week?
Whether at home in the kitchen or together in the classroom, there are SO MANY IDEAS for how to theme up learning right now. Need a few ideas fast? Grab from the list below——& go!
Valentine’s Day mailboxes for unconventional spaces from STEAM Powered Family
Supplement your learning with themed courses & one-time lessons from Outschool
A chocolate-&-science lesson (double win!) also from STEAM Powered Family
… Need more ideas? Don’t forget to search for “DIY heart model STEM activity” to get page-loads of themed science fun!
“Dear former therapist …”
The Asperger Experts’ Danny Raede emailed out an open letter to his former therapist. And what he has to share is relevant for a lot of us! I’m reprinting here, links & all:
Dear Former Therapist,
I wish you would have understood Defense Mode more & helped me gain emotional capacity, instead of simply talking to me about whatever was on my mind & letting me rant for a while. While it was nice to have someone to talk to, it wasn’t particularly impactful on my life, & since you didn’t take insurance, I’m sure my parents could have found someone for me to talk to for a lot cheaper!
I wish you had helped me increase my Vagal Tone & given me specific things to do rather than just be an ear. While that was useful in some regards, there was so much more we could have done!
I wish you would have included my parents & taught them more about how it feels to be in Defense Mode, & what a panic attack feels like. That would have increased their empathy & made it easier for us to relate.
I thank you for what you did, but I wish you did more.
Sincerely,
Danny Raede
A guide to growing friendships for parents & tweens & teens
Big Life Journal sent their subscribers (hey, that’s me!) a handy tool that’s both visual aide & verbal analogy this week: How the lifelong dance of friendship is like riding in an elevator. Tip: If it doesn’t make sense already, click the link & read it now!