It is definitely not easy. It can be tough, managing the many different obligations that come from being a responsible adult. Being a responsible parent takes energy, commitment and most importantly lots of love and patience.

I am a High School Academic Counselor, so I have the summers off. My daughter just finished 1st grade and she is going in to her 2nd grade. She had many gaps her first semester of 1st grade which we manage to cover through tutoring in school and at home. Her 2nd semester of 1st grade was academically much better and overall much richer in many different experiences as a student after she learned to read.

Right now I’ve built a summer schedule for her to help her improve her reading and math so once she enters 2nd grade she has more confidence and feels ready to tackle this new challenge. This schedule takes up most of our time but every minute spent with my child as her teacher, tutor, mentor and father are just magical.

I’ve realized that being present is much more than being around, it takes work but it is work that we are proud and happy to do as parents. I have my own summer schedule as well, as I am constantly learning, reading and growing. I am currently learning how to code as I would like to earn more and eventually change careers. I am thinking about my family’s future and how I would like this next 10 years of my life to unfold.

I want to earn enough money to no longer have to worry about it. To be able to give my family amazing experiences and the best opportunities to keep on growing and reaching for more. To live in places that align more with who I am and what I value most about my environment. All of these dreams inside of me working to materialize in to reality.

Sometimes it is so difficult to put in to words what’s going inside my head and my heart. Sometimes there is so much going on that writing takes a back seat, along with self reflection and analysis. But writing is so important, it is therapeutic for the soul.

So for any of my readers who are parents, who are working hard for their family, for their personal dreams and looking for ways to keep on growing and improving I say, continue to be persistent, commit with energy, time and a plan of action and most importantly be kind to your self in this beautiful journey we call life. Good things take time and many tries but I truly believe its all worth it.