Hey there,

Happy New Year! I hope you've had a lovely start to 2025! 🎉

I want to share a quick story with you today. Back in 2016, when my daughter was around 8, we had taken a family trip to the Big Bend National Park. And for our first hike, we ambitiously picked a 5.6-mile trail.

The start was magical—lots of photos, rock climbing, playing in streams, fun, and laughter. But halfway back, my daughter started itching all over, and the hike quickly went from fun to torture.

As I stopped to slather her with itch cream, my husband studied the map. By taking a short detour, we could reach a campground with road access to our parking lot. He suggested my daughter and I wait there while he hiked back to bring the truck around.

We left the choice to our daughter: stop now or push through and finish? To our utter surprise, she chose to keep going.

We dug deep and found resourceful ways to make that last stretch bearable and finally made it back—exhausted but really really proud. That resilient streak is still strong in my daughter and serves her well as she navigates the craziness of high school life.

Resilience is a value I hold close to heart, and so, as we start a new year, I want to share with you a wonderfully researched article on the topic by Edie Jones. Filled with valuable insights and actionable tips, it’s a lovely read for anyone raising strong, resilient kids. Here, take a look

What is Resilience and How to Raise Strong, Resilient Kids

Alright, that's it for today. Until next time, go be the best parent, and the best person you can be!

Talk soon,
Sumitha