Parent with a Purpose: Juvy Hartweg

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I was a college student hanging out with a little girl after school twice a week and we visited the Needham Children's Museum (now closed). It was a life saver for me because the winters were awful and the museum kept us occupied for hours. I saw so many mothers and grandparents there with other children and everyone was in this atmosphere of play, learning and imagining. It was so peaceful and happy! I hoped that someday I would be able to have those moments with my own children.

I was an elementary school teacher at the start of my career and realized how so much of learning in America today lacks valuable and relevant experiences that encourage better learning. For example, why is recess only 15-20 minutes? If research states that more recess is key to a well rounded learner why are we putting our kids through the paper-and-pencil-sit-down-and-be-quiet system for hours on end? I don't know too many adults that would fare well in that predicament so why do we expect it of our children?

My boys remind me everyday that we have to create strong memories and find opportunities to truly learn. Not just our numbers, history, etc. but what makes a good thinker and problem solver. Learning isn't always fun and games because there is a need for not just creativity but some analysis and complex thinking. However, there should be a balance. That balance is what I'd like to achieve. We are not there yet but we are working on it!

"Conviction" and "zest" have been my mantra for awhile now. Without the drive and determination to accomplish your goal you run out of hope and quit. But you can't just have that drive and work ethic because we see so many people that achieve and are successful but yet they aren't happy. I tell my children all the time, even when they make fun of me for being such a geek, that I feel alive when I'm teaching and learning with my students. I want them to feel that passion, intensity and excitement so that they see the value in their work. We all want our work to be meaningful and I make sure to live by example so they understand what it looks like. It might help them in their own journey. I laugh sometimes because like every mom, they finish my little sayings for me because they've got it so memorized. If you're going to do something, finish it and do it well, or don't bother wasting your time. They hate that one!

Sadly, I don't take care of myself. That's my biggest deficit. It's a lot of work to have that balance and frankly I think it's quite annoying when you hear celebrity moms and therapists say things like "You need to treat yourself". Realistically, it's just harder said than done. Whose paying for childcare is what I'd like to know. When you work and have a cause to spend your energy on, there are few extra hours available that you don't spend with your children and your husband. I know this is a temporary situation. I've got so few precious years before we are empty nesters, but I won't wait that long! I do sneak away and celebrate life a few times a year with my husband and friends.