Let's welcome our newest community members, @Anna Brown and @Anzumana Taal. Thanks for joining us. I'm looking forward to learning about you and how I can help support your journey. Take a moment to visit the Start Here classroom to learn how our community is structured and then, when you feel comfortable, please introduce yourself either by replying to this post or in the Introductions section. So happy you are here!

Make a simple herbal tea together with chamomile, mint, lemon, water (or whatever you already have). Invite your child to: • Smell it before steeping • Watch the color change • Describe the steam Ask: “What do you notice?” You’re building observation skills. But more importantly, you’re sharing attention. Connection grows where curiosity lives.

Welcome @Anna Brown Im so happpy you joined us. The Start Here classroom is a good place to learn more about our space. Then take a look at some of the conversations we’ve been having. When you are ready, please introduce yourself. Either as a reply here or under introductions.

When you have some quiet time with your kid (s), here’s a fun thought question to pose. Note: This is not necessarily going to be the response or action you’d take in a natural disaster situation but it can open the door to a different conversation. Here’s the question: "If we had a total power outage for 24 hours, no WiFi, no tablets, no TV, no fridge, no lights, what’s the very first thing you’d do to keep from being bored?" The Rules: 1. Listen only. No "fixing" or suggesting. Let them dream up their own fun. 2. You answer, too! Share what you’d miss doing when you're too busy scrolling. This isn't about setting a rule yet; it's about planting the seed that life outside the screen is actually pretty interesting. How did they answer? Drop their responses in the comments below! Mary Note: as someone who recently experienced a four day power outage in an ice storm and who lives in a tornado prone city, these conversations can be both fun and useful. Preparing the family for real-world situations is an added win.

Welcome @Sharon Otaguro and thanks for joining our community. Take a look at the Start Here classroom for how our community works. You can read posts in order by scrolling the feed or pick a category that interests you. When you’re comfortable, please introduce yourself, either as a comment here or in a new post. Glad you are here.