In Our Elements
JUNE 2026 | quality time
With summer here, schedules have undoubtedly changed. Whether your family has vacations, stay-cations, or replaced school days with camp days, things feel different.
This month, my invitation is simple: find quality time.
Not the social media kind. Not the fancy kind. Just the kind where you're genuinely present with your child. Go for a walk. Read a chapter of a book. Play a game. Sit on the porch. Bake cookies. Ask questions. Notice each other.
Those moments are often the ones our children remember most.
ELEMENTAL MOMENT
Summer math
As you probably know, we don't force "work" at Elements. We interweave learning and life, protecting autonomy, choice, and each child's relationship with learning. So when my 12-year-old recently pulled out a math workbook and asked if we'd do division together, I felt a strong sense of peace. They don’t view math as “schoolwork.” It’s simply something to do. And something they enjoy!
Moments like this remind me why we’ve chosen this path.
When children don't associate learning with pressure, they often come back to it on their own. They don't see summer as a break from learning because they never learned to separate learning from life in the first place.
RESOURCE REVIEW
Life by the Stars by Amanda Walsh
This is a beautiful memoir by a community leader I’ve been following for years. She founded Astrology Hub - a podcast and community of astro-curious folks. (She fulfilled my dream of moving to Hawaii so I’ve been living vicariously through her journey.)
Amanda’s memoir goes deep into a very relatable journey — including work, life, parenting, divorce, and breakdowns/breakthroughs. Each section has astrologer’s notes explaining what was happening in Amanda’s chart during this big eventful moments in life. It’s a beautifully woven work of heart and a perfect summer read.
You can purchase the book through Amazon or through her Astrology Hub community (I am not an affiliate of any kind - just purely sharing)
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
I’m asking YOU this month - share your answers here
This month, we're turning the spotlight over to you.
What's your family's favorite way to spend time together during the summer?
Tell us anything and everything!
A favorite board game
A beach you love
A library worth visiting
A hiking trail
A summer tradition
A recipe you make together
A local hidden gem
Big and small we want them all — we'd love to create a community list of ways families can connect with each other this summer.
Add your idea to this live google doc! Don’t worry about formatting, organizing, or anything - just add it anywhere. Revisit often to see what others add, as well!!
FROM THE FOUNDER
Last month, I wrote about making space.
I've continued that purging journey throughout June, and I’m definitely feeling the benefits.
Owning less has given me more room — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. I feel lighter. More present. More at ease. It's amazing how clearing out our homes can create space for more joy, more connection, and more of what truly matters.
Lots of summer love,
💕 Heather