October 2025 Newsletter

A Changing World 

Whether you have a newborn or a senior in high school, our worlds are colliding and constantly changing. We are trying to find rhythm, consistency and flexibility. We drive too much, we use our phones too much, and our children are building technology habits that feel out of our control. We are becoming a culture of less reading, less outdoor unstructured time, less thinking time and less creative time for building interests and passions. Our children are increasingly focused on image building rather than self-discovery, using their devices to define themselves through the lens of others. This prevents them from developing their own identities and answering fundamental questions like, “Who am I, and what do I genuinely enjoy?”

As educators we worry about these trends. We spend hours thinking and learning about your children. We want our children to read books. We want our children to critically think, but it is hard when computers and technology dominate a classroom. Our libraries are underutilized, our textbooks are forgotten, spellcheck is used over spelling tests and learning certain spelling rules. Our learning patterns and systems are in flux. We text and we don’t talk. Talking with others in an open dialogue without judgment is forgotten. 

So let’s try a few things this year:

Have dinner together as a family at least once a week. Let your children help meal plan their favorite things besides pasta.

Read what your children are reading. It may foster discussion around the table. 

Put your devices away for at least an hour before bed. 

Encourage outside time before daylight savings. Go for a walk or throw the ball. School sports do not count. 

Do things together even if you only have 20 minutes.

Plan a family outing for the weekend. Lunch picnic style, have family pickle ball time, or even find a movie for the family to watch together.

Start small and rebuild if you feel you have lost control of intentional family time. Start small if you are a young family to keep the family together. Build your relationships with each other and your children. 

There are words missing now in our lives: values, thoughtfulness, resilience, giving, communication and understanding. 

Extra thoughts:

Be sure and have your school conference with teachers. Check in on what areas may need the extra support. 

The mental health of you and your children is very important. 

Neurodiversity is the educator’s word right now. 

We are educational consultants who want to make a difference in those we help. We want to find the schools that fit your family for the right reasons. We want you to find a community which embraces your family and your philosophy. 

We are still taking families for school placement, relocation and boarding for 2026, but we have limited capacity. If you know someone who may need us, give them our contact information. We are a team that cares about you. 

Our best for a wonderful fall, 

Barbara, Betsy, Fontaine and Margo