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10 Things A Child Wants You to Know:

Little kids have big feelings—and not always the words to explain them! Here's what they might say if they could:

1. If I'm throwing a tantrum, I might just need a hug. I'm not trying to give you a hard time—I'm having a hard time.

2. When I say "no," it doesn't always mean I don't want to—it might just mean I need more time.

3. Sometimes I cry and don't know why either. Big feelings can be pretty confusing when you're small.

4. If I hang onto your leg, it's because you're my safe place.

5. When I ask "why?" a million times, I'm not trying to drive you crazy—I'm trying to understand the world.

6. If I get distracted or move slowly, it's because everything around me is so interesting.

7. When I make a mess, I'm not trying to be careless—I'm just still learning.

8. If I'm cranky after school or after a long day, it's not personal—I'm tired, hungry, or need a little time to reset.

9. When I say "watch me!" it's because your attention makes me feel important and loved.

10. Even when I'm pushing boundaries or testing limits, I still need you to love me unconditionally. That's how I learn I'm safe and secure in the world.

They're not giving us a hard time—they're having a hard time. And we get to help them through it. A little patience, a little perspective, and a lot of love go a long way.

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Visiting Santa can be a fun tradition, but it’s not always a positive experience for young children. Long lines, loud crowds, and a big guy in a red suit can be overwhelming or even scary.

Before jumping into this tradition, parents should consider their child’s feelings and respect their comfort level.

If seeing Santa is important to them, suggest they try easing into it! They can read books about Santa, watch a Santa movie, or attend a low-key event like a breakfast where he’s in the background or a parade where he makes a quick appearance. 🎅✨

Is School Photo Day Still Worth It?

Do you still do school photos? I'm curious—do you have them on the weekends or during the school day? After 22 years of navigating photo day, I’m starting to wonder: Is it really worth it?

In today’s world, where we share photos on social media and through apps, plus the endless pictures parents take, do families still want that classic individual shot and group photo? What are the benefits of sticking with the tradition? I’m not here with answers; I’m just tossing the topic around.

Here’s something I’ve noticed—children really struggle with the change in routine. The whole day can be thrown off, with meltdowns and extra stress. And parents? They often dress their kids in clothes that don’t exactly match their day-to-day style: button-down shirts, fancy socks, shoes that barely fit. You can almost feel the tension in the morning as parents try to get their kids “photo ready,” and the children definitely pick up on it.

Have you thought about offering a photographer for family and individual photos on a Saturday for those interested? That could ease the weekday photo day pressure.

So, what’s your take? Is it time to rethink school photo day? Or do we just embrace the chaos for the sake of a picture they can look back on and laugh about years from now?