Dear Ms Mari, Los Angeles, CA (2025)

11/24/2023

Gift idea for caregivers… blank letter templates in a notebook to express emotions and feelings that we’ve kept bottled up for too long… Available on Amazon.

07/20/2023

In today's digital age, the art of letter writing may have evolved with the advent of email and instant messaging. However, the essence of letters remains the same – a tangible and personal form of communication that can provide comfort, guidance, and a sense of connection. Whether in an email box or mail box, a personal note from a friend always stands out! Let's write to each other often across all space and time.

07/20/2023

Before we had stamps... now we have... fridge magnets from travels? I still love the seemingly small and unassuming creations. They are not just postage labels; they are storytellers. They narrate tales of history, culture, and human connection. Wishing you safe and meaningful travels this summer!

07/20/2023

Letters saw me through many crises in this life. Is the same true for you? Do your kids know the power of letter form?

07/19/2023

Summer is a beautiful season, filled with warmth and relaxation, providing a much-needed break from the demands of school. It offers a chance for children to explore the outdoors, embark on adventures, and revel in the abundance of nature's beauty. From vibrant flowers and lush greenery to the joyful chirping of birds, summer paints a picturesque backdrop for endless possibilities and carefree days. However, as the summer days begin to wane, the approaching school year looms on the horizon. For parents, this signals a time of preparation and planning, ensuring that their children are equipped for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It becomes a busy period, as parents strive to create the best possible environment for their kids to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally…
Please comment and share how you are preparing for the upcoming year? Mentally as well as gathering all necessary school supplies and subscriptions and signing up for extra-curriculum activities… Are you ready for 2023-2024??? What are your BEST TIPS?

07/19/2023

Do you still have a stash of those in your drawer somewhere? The handwritten letters that we hold onto carry a unique and special essence. They possess a tangible connection to the author or loved one, a presence that transcends time itself. In this digital age where communication is often instantaneous and ephemeral, the art of sitting down with pen and paper to craft a heartfelt message feels increasingly rare and significant. Handwritten letters have a way of capturing the emotions and personality of the sender in a way that typed or digital messages simply cannot replicate. As we hold these letters in our hands, we can feel the weight of the words, the care and effort that went into their creation. They become cherished keepsakes, preserving memories, stories, and sentiments that can be revisited and relished for years to come. In an era of rapid technological advancement, the enduring power of a handwritten letter is a reminder of the enduring power of human connection and the beauty of slower, more deliberate forms of communication.

07/18/2023

Receiving letters and seeing their name on an envelope is a joyful experience for kids. It ignites their imagination, makes them feel special, provides a tangible connection, and creates lasting memories. It's a simple yet powerful way to bring happiness and excitement into their lives. ARE YOU LOOKING TO FILL YOUR MAILBOX NEXT YEAR WITH A MEANINGFUL SUBSCRIPTION THAT WILL VALIDATE KIDS AND PROMPT THEM TO REFLECT ON GOOD VALUES? This could be an offer that resonates with you. Please don't hesitate to DM if you have any questions or are unsure where to find more information.

07/18/2023

Can letters tell a story? Sure, they do! Every letter and every postcard, however cryptic and rushed tells a beautiful story and opens a big space for imagination. More formally, a story in a letter form is often referred to as an epistolary story or a letter story. It is a literary technique that involves telling a narrative through a series of letters exchanged between characters. It provides a unique and intimate perspective into the characters' thoughts, feelings, and experiences. “Dear Ms. Mari” tells a story of a rather lonely former elementary school teacher, who writes to children about her comings and goings and the everyday life on a farm. A simple life gets complicated because of a conflict with her neighbor that is harder to resolve with each passing letter. Kids when asked, come up with uncanny solutions and spirit inspired wisdom. Who can help Ms. Mari overcome her struggles?

07/18/2023

Peace begins at home, but conflicts in families are inevitable. Children can go from fighting to being best friends in a matter of minutes, unlike adults, who tend to hold onto grudges. This leads to unhealthy reactions from our amygdala brains. However, time is limited, and we must learn to love people, even when we disagree. "Dear Ms. Mari" is a story in letterform addressed to children to explore adult behaviors that can seem amusing and childish when explored with a dose of humor, but as all family conflicts and tensions they undoubtedly sting and they hurt. As people age, they perceive a different reality. The story I wrote is for those days when we long for understanding and affirmation from others but cannot find it in our immediate circle. It reminds me that I am not alone and that I am cared for and known by name no matter the circumstances. The story is not officially published but seeking an audience of kids, who would like to follow along a story in a long letter month by month in 23/34 and influence how it progresses and ends. I hope you can join us on this interactive experience! Enrollment is only open until the end of July. DM for more details!

07/17/2023

Christmas in July is a lighthearted and festive celebration that takes place in July, typically on or around the 25th of the month. It originated in the Southern Hemisphere, where July is winter and Christmas is traditionally celebrated during this time. The concept has since spread to other parts of the world, where it is seen as a way to bring some holiday cheer during the summer months. During Christmas in July, people may decorate their homes or workplaces with Christmas-themed decorations, exchange gifts, and participate in activities reminiscent of the holiday season. Do you celebrate this unofficial holiday and / or make it playful for your kids? What better way to capture the spirit than to write letters to Santa. In July! P.S. The letters to Santa don’t ever need to include just material things kids have cravings for. They can make a list of their other non-material wishes and desires. By learning what they are, we may begin to understand our kids love language and the values they have been gifted with at birth.

07/17/2023

Community used to be built through letters and history was made and recorded through this artform. In a country where I am from: Poland, a new law has passed that all stores have to be shut on Sundays, EXCEPT those that carry out a form of mail or delivery service. It is a beautiful thing when mail service is recognized for its importance. Can you imagine this same image of a town but without a mailbox in it? But I wonder sometimes… what happens if our kids grow up without the real experience of standard mail service that they can connect with emotionally. Long letters from family members and friends, postcards from vacations are all replaced by text and email. Small packages and gifts and care notes are not delivered the standard way but ordered through giant warehouses and their trucks. Could the kids then grow up considering mailboxes redundant pieces of architecture that belong in a museum? I know there are still many lovers of long letters and passionate pen pals out there, who continue the tradition they experienced in their youth. I’m not sure if there are enough programs and initiatives passing the joy of letters to the next generation… I’m all in proving such experience for my own kids next school year. Hope you can join us in this challenge! Please DM if you would like to learn more.

07/17/2023

This post is for anyone who feels isolated in their parenting journey, lacking support system or empathy and wider understanding of their parenting style. I see you. I feel you. I am all about gentle parenting and disciplining through connection and respectful teaching. But not all in my family circle agree or have the patience to endure big emotions that kids sometimes display and would rather see instant obedience and results through carrots or sticks. And they also expect perfect unity in all punishments being administered, just or not just. I know this is not an issue only I am dealing with. Just yesterday, I encountered a young couple in a supermarket with two kids. Their youngest little boy had the symptoms of a tantrum brewing over a toy he really wanted, but he was being extremely brave keeping it controlled. That’s until his mom started getting frustrated and speaking to him in a punishing voice: “Calm yourself down immediately. You’re not going to get it now. And you’re not going to get it for your birthday. Calm down I said.” As you would expect, it resulted in the opposite: shy whimpering turned into loud wailing. I wanted to say to both the mama and the boy: I feel you. I see you. I know it’s really hard. This little village of ours is full of unmet needs, desires, dreams. And it doesn’t seem to get any easier as we get older. The needs get bigger, the dreams and desires always beyond our reach. But it sure helps and offers some relief to have someone next to us validating our frustrations. I want to welcome you to this new community if this message resonates with you and you could use some relief in your lonely parenting struggles. A little bit more about that in the blog post commented below.

07/10/2023

This weekend my son has learned to swim! It was such a special milestone to watch him launch through the water and punch the air with victory afterwards. We have tried many private lessons but he was not making much progress and never believed he could do it until now. It is a beautiful thing when kids believe they can do hard things. I learned to swim in the elementary program in a different country. It was a tough lesson. They dropped me in the deep end several times and told me to grab a pole when I felt I was drowning. I could hold a grudge for such aggresive approach, but I am still grateful that they have taught me this essential survival skill as well as take my whole class on nice swimming pool field trips once a week. When I arrived in America and had children, I was expecting the very best of education presented to us. I did not know, you had to hunt and look for private classes and extra-curriculum activites to teach kids the elemental knowledge or the desired skills in sports, arts and crafts, music, cooking, virtues etc... I am planning ahead how to supplement our kids education with the subject we believe they should know, but it can feel like an uphill and lonely battle. Can anyone relate?

07/08/2023

What I have learned from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born American saint? Elizabeth was a well-rounded teacher recognizing that each of her pupils had a unique learning ability. She was not tired of varying her lessons to match the style of learning her pupils best responded to. She called the children entrusted to her “darlings” and “marvels of perfection.” From the first classroom of five of her own she went on to teach fifty students in subjects of literacy, arithmetic, music but perhaps most importantly the values of faith, love, and compassion. In my opinion, she is an endless inspiration of patience and trust in the Divine, but also the foundational knowledge that all children should be instructed in.

07/08/2023

It's amazing how quickly our children grow up, going off to school, making friends, and navigating life's complexities. I've been reflecting on how to cherish each year with them and to make it meaningful, so we have no regrets as we look back on our time together. Our kids are on this journey of discovery with us, and we learn from each other. I want to make sure I learn about their unique inner strengths, virtues, and talents. Time flies by, and if I don't make an effort, I'll miss out on opportunities for growth and meaningful connection. This new school year, I've resolved to interact with them more thoughtfully and have deeper conversations. Month by month, I want to explore universal values with them, ensuring that the beautiful lives they embark on are built on solid foundations. “Dear Ms. Mary” is a story in letter form that should prompt us and keep us accountable month after month to make sure I keep my resolutions. Would you like to join us in this challenge? See more information in the comments section.

Dear Ms Mari

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