There are some really tough things happening in the world, and as parents (and educators), we want to help our kids understand and feel safe. When headlines feature stories of conflict or war, it’s common for emotions like fear, sadness, anger, and anxiety to surface, regardless of where you live. Here's a simple guide to having these difficult conversations with your children/students.

Ever noticed how kids have this uncanny ability to "tune out" when we start our well-intentioned lectures? It's almost like they've developed selective hearing. But here's the thing: Children will listen to you, truly listen, after they've felt heard themselves. So, what's the secret sauce to making this happen?

Let me share a secret—I had this habit of beating myself up over things I hadn't accomplished. Sound familiar? But gratitude stepped in like a wise friend, nudging me to celebrate the small victories. Didn't finish that project today? No biggie. You showed up, and that's worth celebrating.