Quotes of the Week
When I worked in education, there were 2 months that were usually the hardest. October (fondly known as Shock-Tober) and February. There’s actually research around why these months are the hardest for educators, and I would argue, also hard for students and parents! The shiny new-ness of school has worn off by October. Labor Day is long past and Thanksgiving break feels like a decade away. In recent years a lot of districts have combatted Shock-Tober by building in a fall break and that definitely helps, but October is still a lot. For your reading giggles, I present, Exhibit A of the A Lot-Ness:
Red Ribbon Week where there are daily themes and dress ups all about being drug free. A message I can get behind, but do we have to do SO MUCH in one week? No, dear friends, we do not…but here we are, still doing so much in the year of our Lord 2026.
A Book Fair connected with a Fall Festival. I’ll just leave that there…If you know, you know.
Spirit Nights. So. Many. Spirit Nights.
After school activities are in full force, friends. FULL FORCE.
Oh, and Halloween. Minor detail…
We’ve entered into October with a bang at our house. Two field trips, Fall Break child care juggling, one parent traveling for work, and the other parent ramping up for a busy season at work, along with friends and family visiting (the best part, which we truly love!).
As I sat down (while waving and giving thumbs ups during gymnastics class, per Exhibit A) to write this week’s blog, there were 3 quotes that came to mind as really helping me pivot into a more positive, peaceful oriented mindset for October. So, as any good friend with words does, I want to share them with you all.
Have you ever seen marbled roses like this?! Hubs surprised me with them last week!
“How you speak to your family at the end of a long, hard day is a revelation of your true character.”
I honestly cannot remember where I read this or heard this - I think it was on LinkedIn, truthfully. I do remember sitting back and thinking, “Wow. That is so, so true.” I will always beat the band that parents are people and people are just people. We’re messy and imperfect. I don’t think we do our children any favors when we sugarcoat that life is challenging and sometimes our jobs are part of that challenge. And yet, we are still the adults in the house and it’s on us to model emotional awareness and regulation. There was a point at the end of September where I found myself snapping at my husband because we were not communicating well. I went back and apologized and we talked it through. Oftentimes, he can get the short end of the stick because I work in a field I love yet demands excellence and our parenting journey is not easy. That doesn’t leave a lot of gas in my tank on some days! Regardless, how I speak to my family at the end of a long day needed to be adjusted. I am trying to manage my energy better, started driving home in silence these last two weeks, and those two things alone have given me more of what I need to speak to and treat my family just as importantly as those I’m surrounded by from 8:00-5:00ish.
“Closeness isn’t about the frequency of communication. It’s about the depth of connection.” - Adam Grant, Vibe
Adam Grant has long been a favorite researcher and author of mine. I have several of his books and can’t wait to read Vibe. You don’t have to be a researcher to understand that authentic connection with others is at an all time low and loneliness is at an all time high. Adam’s book comes out next week and I can’t wait to get my hands on it! This quote has made me stop and be more intentional about the depth of my communications with people who I’m genuinely connected with. I jokingly laugh with my close friends that I’m kind of like the Godfather when it comes to friendships. Once you’re in, you don’t get to leave (but for real, you don’t). Two of my closest friends have lived out of state for several years and since our move earlier this year, my remaining besties are also out of state. I’m learning new ways to connect deeply and authentically with each of them, while also trying to be open to making new friends here in Georgia. Adulting is hard and making friends as an adult, I’ve decided, is not easy! I’ll take deep, close communication with a few over shallow, frequent contact with many all day, every day.
Enjoying coffee with a (new) friend and my uncomplicated order of a tall Flat White from Starbs. Time well spent.
“Watching my mini me use my own attitude against me wasn’t part of the parenting plan.”
When I saw this on a random reel from Instagram, I laughed out loud really hard when I first read this because it was TOO relatable! My parents got to see this on full display on their last visit when both of our children decided to use my own attitude against me! It was such a good reminder to me that our kids are listening and watching, even when it seems like they are not. Hearing one child parrot my exact words to the other child (leveled up in the sass department, I will say!) was one of those whiplash moments. On the one hand, it needed to be said. On the other hand, it could have been said differently. And that is the ongoing tension of parenting, isn’t it? I want my children to be leaders, think critically and creatively, work hard, and have fun along the way…and yes, use some of my clever yet somewhat sassy sayings along the way. Sometimes the parenting plan just goes out the window, you embrace the chaos, and chuckle out loud while you get a fresh cup of coffee. That’s what I did when the stomping commenced up the stairs for the 3rd time that morning. May the odds be ever in your favor, friends!
If these quotes resonated with you, I’d love to hear about it. If there’s a quote that’s saving your life right now, share that too! We’re all in this life together.
Love you, mean it, friends.
P.S. The link to Vibe is an Amazon Affiliate link - As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn't cost you anything extra, and it helps keep this blog running.