Jul 153 min read

School Is Over!

It's been quite the school year for us. I'm a 2/3 emptynester, the youngest, Tyler, still lives at home. She turns 17 next week (my other two are my son Tajun, 25, and my daughter Tarjani, almost 22) and we'll be celebrating with friends and family. I always love celebrating my children's birthdays, even when, in case of my two older children, it isn't or wasn't always possible to do so in person.

Like any mother, I love my children and am proud of who they are becoming (or have become) as persons, forging their own paths in life. And that includes celebrating the stages and little and great victories along the way.

For example, this past school year has been hard on my youngest, because due to lockdown and having some teachers that were not always present or are less able in teaching, she had some deficits that were hard on her. A lot of studying and tuition took up a lot of her time and it was stressful. But she persevered and made it through. Such a young Warrior Goddess! And now, at least, one subject she struggled with is done. She got proficiency in Spanish and doesn't need to continue it any longer.

Her first Spanish tuition teacher said all her students from our school were coming in from the same teacher. That'll tell you. And my child is actually really good at languages. She was the only student who was awarded native speaker level in English from the University of Cambridge, UK, a year ago. For those of you who don't know, we are German and live in Germany (I used to live in the UK for a decade where I went to university, amongst other things). Studying Spanish with her private tuition teacher raised her three grades in one year. So kudos to both teacher and - most of all - Tyler!

And now, we've got holidays and a lot of rest and fun outings are planned around my own busy schedule. Because my courses don't stop, of course. My work as a double-entrepreneur doesn't stop, either. But I have one great advantage: I get to do and to study and to share with others what I love most. And that makes such a huge difference! Doing things that make your heart sing is so important and to care for yourself in-between should also always be a non-negotiable. Like bubble baths, relaxation (and meditation, if you're so inclined) and doing fun things just because they bring you joy.

One thing I love to do every so often is to grab a book, sit in one of my favourite cafés (or outside when the weather is good), and read. Spicy reads are even more delicious when someone else makes your coffee and serves it, or a cold ice cream with all the trimmings... I love that. And I'll do more of it with my youngest child who also loves to read and write for fun. I'll read my romance books and she reads her YA fantasy. And when we're not out and about, we love to relax at home in the garden (see below.)

Do you have a favourite spot where you like to read? Or a special place to treat yourself and read? Send me an email to authortirzaschaefer@gmail.com and let me know!