Hello Friends,
Here we go! Summer is over and it’s time to add back to school routines to the
household schedule. Speaking from experience, it’s not always easy to be a working
parent. After all, balancing a career and kids is not for the faint of heart. Between work
and family, working parents might find it a near-impossibility to have time to breathe,
much less do something special for themselves. It took me a long time to learn that if
you want to avoid burnout, you absolutely have to take time for self-care, which includes
taking time to play.
You can either carve out a special time for play, such as planning a visit to Explore &
More with family and friends, finishing a crossword puzzle every night before bed or
heading out for daily morning walks/runs. You can also decide to incorporate play into
regular tasks that are already on your to-do list: like doodling while you’re on a
conference call at work or singing and dancing in the shower or while you clean. Even
15 minutes a day can be enough to relax your body and mind and help you feel
refreshed.
Although there are many joys in raising children, parents who need and/or want to
work can face some serious obstacles. Some days, you’re going to have to give more to
your job and the kids will eat a pepperoni pizza for dinner (and possibly the next
morning for breakfast)—and that’s okay. Likewise, there will be times when your kids
command your attention, and you’ll have to put your work—and your phone—down so
you can enjoy these lovely creatures you’ve created. Like almost everything in life,
eventually, it all balances out the way it’s supposed to.
In order to assist with the “balancing act” and to support families seeking childcare and
fun, yet educational experiences on designated school holidays and school break
weeks, Explore & More has created all-new Study & Play programs. Our programs are
led by our professional Educators. We are a New York State Office of Child & Family
Services licensed and regulated School Age Child Care program. Thematic activities
will spark creativity, imagination, and exploration as students venture throughout the
museum to play and learn in the exhibits. Also, should the schools face challenges due
to the pandemic, Explore & More is prepared to adapt their operations to
accommodate remote and hybrid school age learning options so parents can continue
working while children are learning.
Registration is now open for the 21-22 school year and filling up quick!
Looking forward to seeing you at Explore & More soon,
Lisa Chrapowicz
Senior Manager of Community & Strategic Initiatives
