The One Where They Had to Pivot: Holiday Edition

I’ve been reflecting on the upcoming holidays and how this year might look different than those in the past. One of my favorite family traditions is what we do every Christmas Eve with my family. To truly understand it, you must know that this is held at my father’s house and while it’s big, it’s not really built to handle a family of our size when there is a pandemic. 

Most years, there are at least the following people at this annual event: 

• At least 5 various parents (our parents, step-parents, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law’s parents, and various other adults looking for a place to spend the evening)

• 7 siblings

• 7 significant others

• My husband’s brother and sister-in-law

• 15 nieces and nephews 

All of that equals at least 34 bodies who really all want to be in the same room. It’s loud, it’s crazy, you are always stepping around or over someone and once you find a spot, you try to stay there. I absolutely love every minute of it. 

As we get closer to that date, I’ve started to reimagine what the holidays could look like for our family. How do I take this possibly HUGE disappointment of not being able to come together as normal and turn it into a memory that the family can look back on fondly? While we’ve become really good at pivoting this year, I know that this is a tall order for myself and my family. 

But then I stop and remember the holidays where things didn’t work out as planned. How our plans were ruined last second and we still somehow made memories that have lasted a lifetime.  There was that one Halloween in Wichita where it snowed so much that trick-or-treating wasn’t even possible. That Thanksgiving where we were supposed to go to Dallas and ended up having to throw together a meal on Wednesday because Ryleigh had a fever. And finally, that one Christmas when I was 12 when I had strep throat and we had pasta for dinner and enjoyed a quiet day with just our family instead of being with our huge Begley family. 

Looking back, I couldn’t have imagined those days any differently. They seemed to have turned out exactly how they were supposed to. And I know this year will be no different.

PS: To give you a visual, this picture is just a few years old and we've added 5 grandbabies and two significant others to this picture. And this is just my siblings, my dad, and my stepmom.

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Fall Means New Beginnings with a New Purpose

A Quick Note From Me:

It's been so long since I've blogged, but I got hit with inspiration the other day. Usually, my blogs are emotionally driven and I have a lot to write about a particular subject. This time, I'm doing a little of this and a little of that with my typical emotion finding its place. I hope what I share brings value to you and your leadership in the classroom, at the building level, or at the district office!.

What I’ve learned from the last week: 

Me: What’s the difference between trying to control something and doing what needs to be done? (COVID related operations for school)

Counselor: Where you carry it. If it’s in your body, that’s you trying to control the uncontrollable. If it’s doing what needs to be done, it’s simply a checklist in your mind.

Me: Well, damn.  So this is why my shoulders are always tight! I’m doing it all wrong. Tips and Tricks

Tips & Tricks:

“Are you helping or are you hurting? Be a helper.”

In 2014, this became my one and only “rule” in my classroom.

As I became a principal, I kept it. I love that it applies to all areas of life and it’s not so much a rule as it is a way to check in with your words and actions. In fact, after teaching this saying, I can usually just ask if they are helping and they self-correct. I know I sure need to hear it from time to time.

Kids Say the Darndest Things!

Kindergarten funny: “So, as we are working on an Alphabet presentation, a little girl raised her hand and asked me to help her find elimino.  Confused, I asked her to say that again.  She said, "I'm on K and I can't find elimino."  CUTE!!!

Counselor Corner: : 

Educators are responding to a hidden threat during COVID. They are in fight, flight or freeze most of the day trying to keep the kids and themselves safe. This is a steady dose of trauma. ---Counselor Emily

Articles I loved: 

What Teachers Want From Their Leaders Right Now: 

Principals Here’s What Teachers Want You to Know But Feel Like They Can’t Say

Great Words of Advice:

What’ I’m reading or listening to:

No Ego: How Leaders Can Cut the Cost of Workplace Drama, End Entitlement, and Drive Big Results by Cy Wakeman

No Ego disposes with unproven HR maxims and instead offers a complete plan to turn your office from a den of discontent to a happy, productive place.: 

Who To Follow on Twitter:

Danny Steele: @Steelethoughts

Liz Garden: @PrincipalGarden

Hamish Brewer: @brewerhm

Jessica Gomex: @mrsjessgomez

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