Jeremy Seltzer’s Post

Especially during the hellish back to school month of August! 🎒 📚 This month is hard even when you hold boundaries.  If you want to keep your sanity, have time to do school tasks, and have emotional energy to manage your kids transitioning into a new school year- you best have boundaries! The secret ingredient to holding to them is RESOURCING. 🤗 Having raised 3 sons, I KNOW how hard it is to get ANY self-care time during this busy month.   However, you have to find small ways.  Setting boundaries requires awareness, energy and tolerance because it is hard to say no to others. 😮 It’s even more difficult if you have not set them in the past. If you want to start this school year off prioritizing yourself and your kids,  here are the key steps: 🚀 Say Yes only to: 1.What is absolutely necessary 2.What YOU really want to do 🚀 Say No to: EVERYTHING else, including: 1. What others want (not need) you to do 2. What you are doing in order to please someone else 🚀 Accept and tolerate reactions: 1. Others being disappointed or upset with you 2. Feeling uncomfortable What will change when you start holding boundaries: 🙂 Being responsible for YOUR happiness instead of others 😯 Some friends/ family will no longer like you 🤗 Your kids will have a more present parent to help them start off the school year Remember- You teach people how to treat you.  To start the school year off right, teach your kids the importance of saying no to others and yes to self.  👏 Honoring boundaries may not allow you to look like the woman in the picture but it will help you get closer to feeling the benefits that come with setting boundaries. 😊 😎 Kristin

Where did the summer go? A minute ago it was Memorial Day, a second ago it was July 4th, and now it's Labor Day. Gretchen Rubin said, "The days are long, but the years are short." The idea is time passes quickly despite the long days of getting kids ready for school (breakfast, lunches made, dinner when they get home), running around to dance and soccer practices, making a trip to Michael's at 9p for art supplies for the assignment that's due tomorrow, buying a gift for the tenth kindergartner turning six, the dog throwing up and needing to go to the vet, and so on and so forth. Yes, it's true how fast it goes. Molly is 35, Kelly (32) and Jack (21). Where did the time go? Often, I think about those summer days when I was in junior high and high school that went on forever, "the dog days of summer." I counted down days until I could be back in school with my friends wearing my cute, new school clothes, in air-conditioning, and a day filled with activities. Yes, I'm nostalgic. But, Mama, doesn't have time for nostalgia. As I get older, time travels at warp speed. Here are ways to "slow down" time: 1. Breathe. Every time you stop at a stop sign or stoplight, breathe. 2. Be present. What do you smell? What do you hear? What do you feel? What do you taste? What do you see? 3. Be grateful. Write down three things you are grateful for each morning and night. I wish you grand days and long years. M #representationrebellion #embraceyourpower #personaltransformation #selfempowerment #rewriteyourstory #ageisjustanumber #ownyourjourney #communitysupport

🍁 Gratitude in the Classroom: Leading Up to Thanksgiving Break 🍁 As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time for educators to pause and reflect. From celebrating small victories with students to appreciating colleagues and practicing self-gratitude, Thanksgiving is a reminder of all the meaningful moments in education. ✨ Let’s focus on gratitude and enter the break with renewed purpose and positivity. 👉 Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gBM6XUCd #GratitudeInTeaching #EducationMatters #ThanksgivingBreak

Strengthen your child's empathy muscles with these essential kindness experiences for young families! Parents and caregivers already know how fleeting each phase of a child's life is. Savoring the moment during the hassle of daily life isn't always practical. That's why we begin planning spring break and summer vacation experiences as early as possible! Have you thought about ways for your family's experiences to include a big-hearted component this year? Share in these kindness experiences to share and build kindness, while creating memories you'll reminisce about for years to come. You'll teach your children important life skills and values with every project: https://lnkd.in/g_gAq6Ws

The last day of school that your kids have been looking forward to is finally here, and we have some tips to make the transition into summer fun and meaningful! Given the length of the school year, it's important to acknowledge what your children have accomplished. 1. Have an End-of-School-Year Ritual 🌟 Celebrate the end of the school year with a special family tradition. Some families go out for lunch or ice cream, while others head to an amusement park chosen by the kids. Work with your children to decide on a family ritual, then enjoy the day together. (And don't forget to take the day off work to fully participate!) 2. PURGE 🗑️ You've probably noticed the piles of paper, workbooks, art projects, and other creations making their way home. Now is the perfect time to purge. Sit down with your child to decide what to keep, what to photograph, and what to recycle or toss. It's easy to get sentimental, so set a timeline for how long to keep certain items before purging them later. 3. WASH EVERYTHING 🧼 Did you know you can wash children's backpacks and lunch bags in the washing machine? Wash them on a low setting and hang them up to dry. If your child brought home a pile of clothing from the Lost & Found, give those a good wash too, and purge anything that's too small. 4. Organize School Supplies ✏️ Reorganize all the extra pencils, crayons, erasers, and notebooks into neat piles or boxes, ready for the next school year. This not only helps you stay organized but also sets a positive tone for the new school year ahead. 5. Summer Homework? 📚 If your child was assigned summer homework, create a timeline or set specific dates and times for your child to work on their homework independently. This will help them manage their tasks and still enjoy their summer break. Above all, don't forget to celebrate! Your children have learned and grown so much this past year, and now it's time for them to relax and enjoy the summer. Embrace this special time with your family, create lasting memories, and recharge for the new school year ahead. Here's to a fantastic summer filled with joy, adventure, and quality time with loved ones! 🎊🌞 #SummerCelebration #FamilyRituals #SchoolYearEnd #SummerBreak #ParentingTips #CelebrateSuccess

Don’t panic! Summer is NOT over yet! However, back-to-school time IS slowly approaching … If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that easing kids into a new school year by setting a consistent routine that you start a few weeks before school begins can make a huge difference in their readiness. 🕰️Slowly bringing their bedtime back to a during-the-school-year hour 🗓️Bedtime + morning routines 📚Daily reading A regular schedule helps kids feel secure and puts them in the right headspace to embrace a new classroom and all that comes with it. So, while there are still plenty of summer weeks to go, now is a great time to be thinking about what changes in your routine may need to be made to get back-to-school ready. What are you most excited about heading into the new school year? #BackToSchool #SetARoutine #DrizzleEffectLearning

🏫 🎒 Today is a big day—my daughter Jocelyn’s first day of kindergarten! Time flies, and moments like these remind me of what’s truly important. Whether you were on vacation last week or just keeping busy, I hope you didn’t spend too much time worrying about market volatility. The ups and downs are part of the normal market rhythm, and we ended the week pretty much where we started. That’s exactly why we’re here—to help you avoid the headlines and the rollercoaster, so you can focus on what matters most, like enjoying your family. For those curious about the recent market movements, we’ve got the details for you here: [https://lnkd.in/eZhjGz34] As we say goodbye to summer, send the kids back to school, and settle into our routines, I want to wish you all a happy unofficial end to the season. Stay cool, enjoy these special moments, and remember—we’re here to take care of the rest. #FamilyFirst #SummerWrapUp #FocusOnWhatMatters #MarketPeaceOfMind #BackToSchool #VanceWealth

One of the greatest joys of running a business is being part of our team's and clients' lives during significant milestones 🏫🎒 Today, our VP Jerrod is celebrating a special moment—his daughter Jocelyn's first day of kindergarten! Time flies—my daughter Kate is getting ready to study abroad this semester—and these moments remind us of what truly matters. As summer winds down and we return to our routines, we're here to help you navigate the market, so you can focus on what's most important. If you're curious about last week's market activity, check out Jerrod's latest update here: https://lnkd.in/gfa9EYtt #FamilyFirst #SummerWrapUp #FocusOnWhatMatters #MarketPeaceOfMind #BackToSchool #VanceWealth"

🍎 After finishing his first week of kindergarten, our grandson Grayson came home bursting with excitement: “Mommy, we had ‘teeter totters’ at school for lunch! They’re so yummy with ketchup! I saved the last one for you and Daddy to share!” Grayson had to carry this bag from the cafeteria, to recess, back to class, and finally home, all for the sake of sharing joy with his parents. 💭 This sweet moment lodged itself in my mind, and after weeks of reflection, I realized it held valuable lessons for all of us—especially leaders and parents. Here are my top three takeaways: 1) Model Kindness and Compassion: Grayson’s enthusiasm for sharing comes from the kindness he witnesses at home. His parents cultivate an environment where acts of generosity and joy are celebrated. As leaders, we must create spaces where kindness thrives, inspiring our teams to uplift one another. 2) Celebrate Personal Power to Effect Change: Grayson reminds us that even the smallest actions can have a monumental impact. Regardless of age or position, everyone can contribute to a culture of joy and support. Let’s empower those around us and celebrate their role in fostering a positive environment. 3) Delay Gratification for a Greater Purpose: This lesson resonated with me deeply. Instead of gobbling up the last tater tot, Grayson chose to think of his parents’ happiness. In our fast-paced world, we often prioritize our own needs over the collective joy. Let’s challenge ourselves to consider how our choices can uplift others. 💙 Stories like Grayson’s linger in our minds because they hold profound truths. As Jay Golden suggests, they resonate with us because they offer lessons relevant to our lives. ✨ I hope Grayson’s spirit of generosity inspire us all to create and share more “teeter totters” in the lives of those around us. I’ve printed this photo and tacked it to my office wall as a daily reminder that the smallest gestures can lead to the biggest impacts. Let me know if you add it to yours too ◡̈ 🥔 Let’s commit to sharing joy, one tater tot at a time! Ed Hart Eric L. Goodman Charles Antis Debora Wondercheck, M.S., ED David Blair Dawn S. Reese, CFRE Susan DeGrassi Greg Hulsizer Todd Zive Nicole Suydam Melinda Beckett-Maines Jenny Dinnen

🏫 With only a few weeks left in the school year for some teachers, it's important to take the time to celebrate the hard work and achievements of your teaching staff. After months of dedicated effort, a little recognition and fun can go a long way in boosting morale and engagement. One great way to engage teachers is by celebrating something positive like great test scores or making it to the last day of school. 🌟 Here's a few ways you can boost engagement from our former educators: 🍉 An outdoor party or picnic allows everyone to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air. Provide tasty treats like an ice cream cake, popsicles, or other fun snacks that teachers can indulge in. 📓 A personal touch like a nice note from administrators praising each educator for their successes over the past year can mean a lot. 💻 The end of the year can be hectic, so giving them a break from extra meetings shows you value their time. ✏️ Offer your teachers a helping hand by stapling papers, stuffing folders, or organizing bookshelves, this would probably be a nice surprise for teachers. 🔑 The key is to make teachers feel valued and recognized for their efforts throughout the school year. A celebration that combines fun, food, and appreciation lets them kick back, relax, and get excited for a well-deserved summer break. #TeacherRetention #PrincipalTip