Welcome!

If you are reading this, there is a reason you are here.  I do not believe in coincidences, coincidentally!  For years, I have wanted to catalog and organize my teacher/school counselor tips and tools, and it finally seems like the time.  Our children are living in unprecedented times.  I am a forty something year old woman, and I can honestly say, our kids and teens have it harder today than I ever did.  I didn't grow up during a pandemic.  My formative years were not plagued with natural disasters.  Yet here our children are.  My goal in this blog is to provide some quick, usable tips and tools and even encouragement for today's teacher, counselor,  and parent.  So welcome!  I am glad you are here.  

Now, the name for the blog....I have teenagers of my own, and this summer, we watched a little movie called The Perks of being a Wallflower.  I didn't preview the movie; I'll be honest.  It did have some grown up situations and mature themes, but oh my gosh, as a school counselor for the past 10 years and a teacher for 10 years, it captured high school and teenagers!  If we don't have uncomfortable conversations with our kids sometimes, how will they know what to do in uncomfortable situations.  Now before you rush out and watch the movie with your teens (which was based on a book by Stephen Chbosky), I'd preview it first and see if it is appropriate for your family.  In our family, we talk about everything, so it was fine for my bunch.  This is definitely Not for school viewing, of course.  The movie reminded me that there are students who never visit the school counseling office, but they need to be seen and heard.  These "wallflowers" may not be ready to share their stories, but when they are, they need to know someone is there and ready to listen.  Let me reiterate, that I am not a perfect parent, teacher, or counselor.  I don't have all the answers, but I do know what's worked for me.  Please visit often and check back for new posts.