MAY-DAY... Helps is on the way!

Hey, Play Advocate.

In many of our programs and lives, we are preparing to wrap up the regular year and enter into Summerland. This month we will be chatting all about: End of Year Celebrations.

Each week, I will share with you one the ways our staff plan and celebrate the work of the children. Sprinkled in over the weeks will be some storytelling, goal setting, and tips to quell that nearly inevitable feeling of overwhelm that sneaks up on us all. I got you. We got this.

👌 End of Year Celebration #1

Start earlier than you think you need to.

I didn’t always do this but have leaned hard into asking for help this year…Instead of waiting until June, I started talking with staff about end of year things in April. By the end of the month, we had acquired much of the things we needed to purchase. By early May we had student gifts from teachers wrapped and ready to roll. We organized digital folders housing photos of each child throughout the year. We had time to assess what was really NEEDED without an overwhelming sense of urgency and underlying pressure to get it all done in one weekend.

Plan things out with your staff. Delegate. Let go of the need to hold it all and make it perfect. Remember a few weeks ago when I told you that was my goal this year? Well, just this last weekend I shared a task I have taken on for years and guess what- it felt awesome! I already feel lighter, more prepared and energized to keep going.

End of year celebrations, preparations and enrollment season can take up a LOT of brain space. With that overload of to-do’s comes what feels like a lack of creativity. Often, we can feel burnt out at one of the most special times of year. I promise you; you have not lost your creative spirit. And when you ask for help, you’re going to feel lighter and more energized to take these things on with vigor.

Making flower crowns from vines and wildflowers on a warm, sunny day in May.

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