Happy Holidays!

One week into December already!  How can it be we have reached the halfway point in the school year?  For me this month is always a mixture of a full schedule and somehow simultaneously slowing down to focus on gratitude and loved ones.  This week I can across an article written by Dr. Brene Brown about the hustle and bustle of the holiday season that struck a chord with me.  (You can read the article and learn more about Dr. Brown here: http://brenebrown.com/2014/12/03/show-must-go-cost/).  Perhaps it caught my attention because I had just read an email from Pamela Robb, principal of our Early Childhood building discussing the very same topic, or maybe just because I have found a connection with Dr. Brown's work in the past.  However, I know, that deep down, the real reason I connected with the article is that I fall victim to the pressures of the holiday season year after year.  I have a a list of fun things our Elf on the Shelf will do this year in my kitchen, there is a large stack of holiday cards waiting to be addressed this weekend on my counter, and I am feeling a bit frantic about the fact that the cookie decorating party I keep meaning to plan has not yet been planned.  Sometimes I forget to practice what I preach!

So I thought this would be a great time to share with you my Pembroke Hill Counseling Pinterest board.  (Ironic isn't it?  Given that Pinterest is my recent source of holiday pressure...).  But this Pinterest board is different.  I have shared it with the students and it is meant to inspire, to refocus and to provide encouragement.  I'll update it from time to time to keep it relevant for the students.  For instance, I just added several ideas for stress management on the heels of our Wellness lessons.  And as I side bonus, I get a chance to reflect too!  You can see my board here: http://www.pinterest.com/lindsaykobolt/

Additionally I have started using YouTube as a way to share resources with students and parents.  I am working to create playlists of relevant videos so you do not need to search around as much.  I don't have much on my YouTube channel playlists yet, but I will be adding to it soon!  The playlists are divided into "Videos for Parents" (which currently includes a favorite Dr. Brene Brown video of mine) and "Videos for Students."  counseling playlists

While I'll probably still address all those cards and get creative with our elf, maybe I'll let the cookie decorating party go and simply keep that event to just our family.  We can even stay in our pajamas that way!  I sincerely hope that the rest of this month brings joy and relaxation to your family!