Episode 19: Revisiting Overwhelm in Parenting, Languages, and Parenting with Languages

In this episode, I talk about how overwhelm has started creeping back into my life as summer break approaches, and the kids will be out of school for several weeks. When I think about my own language learning time, travel plans, keeping a clean house, preparing healthy meals, providing lots of activity time for the kids, minimizing screen time, working on their English reading and writing, while also keeping German a central language for them outside of school -- everything has started feeling completely impossible. So today I use this space to talk myself through what really matters, getting honest with myself about the crazy expectations I'm putting on myself.

By defining my real priorities for the summer -- quality time with my kids, restoration for myself, and more contact with German and Italian -- I'm able to clearly see realistic opportunities for time, energy, and resource management that previously felt impossible. Brainstorming activities we can do to foster these priorities helped stop the overwhelm spinning around in my head and instead allowed me to come up with a very manageable summer plan that leaves room for mood, energy, and personality shifts throughout our weeks out of the school year routine.

Note: If you have a language learning win to share with me for next week's season finale, reach out to me on Instagram or Twitter by Wednesday, 20 July 2022, and I'll give you and your success a shout out in the episode!

Instagram: @love.joyandlanguages
Twitter: @LoveJoy_Lang