In Our Elements
march 2026 — lions and lambs
There’s a saying about March in New England: “In like a lion, out like a lamb.”
But anyone who actually lives here knows the truth — the weather rarely follows such a tidy script.
Some days are bright and warm. (I hope everyone made it outside last week!)
Some are gray and cold.
Sometimes it snows. Sometimes it rains.
Sometimes the same afternoon holds all four.
And yet we accept this about the weather. We don’t demand consistency from it. We don’t panic when the forecast changes. We might grumble a bit — but we grab our umbrella and puddle jump our way to the car.
What if we approached life the same way?
What if we allowed our days, our seasons, our emotions to ebb and flow the way the weather does here — a constant movement between lions and lambs, and all the in-between?
Some days feel expansive and joyful.
Some feel heavy or quiet.
Some are somewhere in between.
None of it means something is wrong.
It’s just the rhythm of being human.
ELEMENTAL MOMENT
One of the most meaningful parts of this work is when families take something small we’ve talked about and try it at home.
Recently, a parent shared that they decided to try using a visual schedule with their child after we talked about how some kids process information differently — especially when verbal or auditory instructions can feel overwhelming.
They sent me a message that said… well, a lot. But the part I’ll remember forever was this:
“I just want to reiterate how much I love and appreciate you and the whole team. Thank you for being so in tune with who the kids are and with their needs.”
Sometimes the smallest adjustments can unlock something big.
For kids who struggle with auditory processing, anxiety, or executive functioning, visuals can make the world feel clearer and calmer. Instead of constantly trying to hold onto a stream of spoken instructions, they can see what’s coming next.
And what moved me most wasn’t the strategy itself — it was the parent’s willingness to try something new in the hopes that it would work for their child.
They listened.
They experimented.
They followed their child’s lead.
That kind of curiosity and responsiveness is where real connection begins.
Whenever I start to feel discouraged about the state of the world, I think about families like this — brave parents choosing love over fear and connection over conformity.
And every time I do, I feel my nervous system settle.
RESOURCE REVIEW
Learning From the Community
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Seed & Sew Summit, and it was one of those experiences that leaves you feeling both inspired and grounded.
What stood out most was the reminder that there are so many thoughtful voices working to help families and educators better understand children — and themselves.
A few of the speakers whose work I especially appreciated:
• Eli Harwood — known as “The Attachment Nerd,” whose work brings attachment science into everyday parenting in a really accessible way.
My favorite quote from her was:
“Early experiences in school can shape lifelong confidence, connection, and self-regulation.”
Whoa. Yes, they absolutely can.
• Chantia Sturtman — whose work focuses on the body in early childhood and encouraging function over appearance.
One of my favorite takeaways from Chantia was the idea of neutralizing bodies, including avoiding appearance-based compliments.
For example, instead of:
“I love your hair! Those curls are to die for!”
Try:
“It looks like you worked hard on your hair this morning — your hard work shows.”
• Parenthood 365 — a presentation centered on the incredible importance of awe.
Oh my goodness. I left this session in total awe of her.
She breaks down seven categories of awe, and how we often experience awe physically — chills, tears, goosebumps, wide eyes, or even spontaneous sounds. Truly inspirational.
• Amy Lang — offering thoughtful guidance around raising healthy, informed kids when it comes to bodies and sexual health.
The biggest reminder here — something we’ve been saying for years but are still surprised not everyone is on board with:
Name body parts by their real anatomical names.
If you’re someone who enjoys learning about child development, nervous systems, and connection-based parenting, exploring the work of these educators is a wonderful place to start.
Honestly, everything I heard felt like gold.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Houghton’s Pond, Blue Hills
Recently our students took a trip to Houghton’s Pond in the Blue Hills, and it was one of those days that felt truly magical.
There’s something about being outside that changes everything.
It certainly helped that we’re coming out of a typical New England winter and suddenly had a gorgeous 70-degree sunny day.
The kids had an absolute blast — digging in the sand, hiking (a pretty rigorous hike, actually!), enjoying a picnic lunch, and even putting their feet in the water… which, for the record, was still mostly covered in ice.
Nature has a way of slowing things down just enough for wonder to sneak in.
And the Blue Hills are such a gift to this area — a place where families can hike, wander, skip rocks, or simply breathe a little deeper.
If you’re looking for a nearby adventure, Houghton’s Pond is always worth the visit.
FROM THE FOUNDER
Living Like the Weather
Lately I’ve been thinking about how much the hustle and bustle of society teaches us to resist the natural rhythms of life.
We expect ourselves — and sometimes our kids — to be consistent, productive, cheerful, focused… all the time.
But if we look at the world around us, nothing actually works that way.
Not the weather.
Not the seasons.
Not our own bodies.
Everything moves in cycles.
New England weather might be the perfect reminder of that. One day it’s a lion, the next it’s a lamb — and sometimes it’s both before lunch.
Maybe life is meant to look like that too.
A series of ups and downs, bursts of energy, quieter pauses, and everything in between.
Some things work beautifully for one person and not for another. Some days feel easy, others feel harder. And none of it means we’re doing it wrong.
It might just mean we’re living through the natural rhythm of things.