A formal anniversary reminds us to pay attention with intention, to be aware of the types of memories that might be impacting us on a February afternoon, in contrast to noticing the azaleas in bloom or the large puddles on the street, both clues which might be too subtle for our busy conscious brains, but may be just enough for our subconscious to react to.

It feels like everything we do these days involves a risk assessment. Activities that we used to not give a second thought to now require careful calculations and choices we never thought we’d need to make are now thrown in front of us like a menu of bad options. Lately, I’ve found myself wanting clarity - wanting someone to just tell me what to do. And I don’t think I’m alone in this.

A few specific activities or strategies you might try with your kids as they go back to school or daycare, along with what different behaviors you might see and how you can understand them.

It’s been a long three months of impromptu homeschooling aka more screen time than we ever thought possible, but finally many of the daycares and preschools in the Bay Area are starting to reopen, and parents are wondering what to expect as they prepare to send their children back to school.

You may have known what you signed up for when you became a parent, but there have been numerous moments during my parenting experience that have not been what I signed up for.

If you’re like me, you know what you’re “supposed” to do. You’ve read books and/or spent hours searching for answers, talking to people, commiserating with other parents. And maybe you’ve even tried some of the things you’ve read about. And maybe, if you’re lucky, some of those things have worked. I’m not interested in telling you what you should try or what you’re supposed to be doing.