In January 2025, a close friend of mine experienced the devastating loss of her 5-year-old son, Harvey, due to complications from a congenital heart defect. Watching her navigate the depth of that grief gave me a new understanding of how isolating and overwhelming child loss can be — and how essential the right kind of support truly is.

In the aftermath of the recent, tragic Texas floods — where so many families, including young children, lost their lives — this same friend was moved to write a personal list on how others can support grieving parents. She created it from her own lived experience and as a way to offer something concrete and heartfelt to others now facing unimaginable sorrow.

With her blessing, I’m sharing this list in hopes that it will guide friends, extended family members, and community supporters who want to help, but may not know how. Grief is overwhelming and isolating, but thoughtful support — even in the smallest ways — can be healing.

Offer Emotional Support 

• Any message of love, encouragement, or remembrance — text or handwritten — can be impactful.
• Reach out even if you haven’t been in touch recently or don’t feel “close enough.” Grieving families often find comfort in hearing from old friends.
• The message doesn’t need to be perfect — sentiment matters more than wording.
• Bonus: Share a photo, memory, or specific trait you remember about their child. It offers a small but powerful piece of their memory back to the family.

Support Surviving Siblings 

• If your children are close in age, consider inviting their child over to play or planning a low-pressure outing.
• Grieving parents often feel guilt about not being emotionally or physically available to their surviving children. Helping with sibling play can be a double gift: a break for the parent and joy for the child.
• If possible, organize a group or rotating schedule to plan recurring playdates, reducing the parent’s mental load.
• Even for younger kids, entertainment — without the need for deep conversations — can be valuable.

Give Practical Gifts

• Food delivery is invaluable. It removes the burden of planning meals during an emotionally and mentally overwhelming time.
• Coordinate with others to avoid gaps or over-saturation in meal deliveries.
• Allow monetary donations in meal trains if possible — unexpected expenses related to grief (e.g., funeral expenses, therapy) can be significant.
• Don’t underestimate the value of supporting healthy coping outlets like therapy, physical movement, and time outside.

Avoid Common Missteps

• Avoid toxic optimism (e.g., “at least…” phrases like “at least you had five good years”). These phrases can feel dismissive and hurtful.
• Don’t ask “how are you?” — it’s hard to answer honestly. Try “I’ve been thinking of you” or “It’s good to see you” instead. These phrases feel more supportive and less demanding of a painful answer.
• Don’t avoid using their child’s name. The parent chose that special name just for them; the loss of using it adds to the pain. It may feel tender, but hearing their name affirms their memory and legacy.
• Refrain from saying, “Let me know how I can help.” Most grieving people won’t reach out, even if they need something. Offer specific help instead: “I can bring dinner Wednesday,” or “Can I take your kids to the park for an hour?”

In times of collective grief — whether from personal loss or community tragedy — we often search for ways to feel less alone and more connected. At Cook Children’s, we recognize that many families are grieving together right now, and we want you to know that you are not alone. We are here to offer support, guidance, and compassionate care as you navigate the days ahead. Even in the darkest seasons, community and kindness can be a powerful source of light.

The post How to Support Families in Early Grief first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Kids Hope USA began in 1995 with the somewhat daunting idea to transform lives, one child at a time. Founder Dr. Virgil Gulker reached out to sociologists, educators, health care professionals, law enforcement, and child development specialists, who agreed that there was a need to fill the relational void in children’s lives. Thus, the idea of “one child, one hour, one church, one school” was born.

Kids First USA’s mentoring begins with local churches committing to a relationship with an elementary school in need of mentors. The churches provide caring adults who agree to meet with a child for one hour a week.

In Fort Worth, several churches participate in Kids Hope USA. First United Methodist Church joined the program in 2005 and has maintained a close relationship with T.A. Sims Elementary School for the past 18 years. In 2017, they extended their program to include students at Charles Nash Elementary School.

While the program is faith-based in that individual churches are in a relationship with individual schools, providing mentors and resources, religion is never discussed with the students. Rather, a mentor demonstrates the characteristics of their faith. By maintaining consistent and unconditional relationships with a child, they prove to that child that they are worthy of effort, of help, and of love.

Gay Ingram was the Kids Hope USA Coordinator at First United Methodist Church for 16 years. She said her favorite part of the program was seeing the relationships built between students and mentors. The students light up when they know it’s their day to meet with their mentor, and they are so excited to participate in activities like holiday parties hosted by the church. The love and dedication of volunteer mentors were always an inspiration to her.

Although mentors focus on reading and helping their students with assignments and homework, the real purpose of the program is to foster the relationship between mentor and mentee. Each session ends with a game and a snack which encourages the duo’s connection and demonstrates to the child that this adult truly cares about them and looks forward to their time each week. Many of these children have never experienced such a relationship. They crave the one-on-one attention, and they thrive on it.

For some mentors and students, the relationship extends past the elementary years and beyond the walls of the school. The children benefit from having a caring, consistent adult in their lives who is a role model, but mentors often find that they also benefit greatly from the relationship.

One Kids Hope USA participant [name withheld by request] has extensive experience with the program. Her younger siblings and two of her children are former mentees. While she and her husband are very involved parents, she always appreciated the role that mentors played in her children’s and siblings’ lives. The children’s mentors “became family to us, and we always knew that we could count on them.”

The children’s mentors learned that the family needed a washer and dryer, and the mentors’ Sunday school class provided these necessary items. They helped connect the family to resources to resolve guardianship issues. The mentors were invited to participate in many family parties and were thrilled to be a part of their students’ quinceañera celebrations, as well as their high school graduations. Although the children are no longer receiving mentoring services, the two families are forever connected and maintain a loving relationship as they support each other through life’s ups and downs.

When it comes to Kids Hope USA, building that trust and creating a stable relationship with the students is what it’s all about. Both the mentors and the students receive tremendous gifts from participation in the program. The students learn that they are worthy and that there is at least one special adult out there who truly cares for them, no strings attached. The adults learn that even small gestures and volunteering for such a brief amount of time can make a huge impact on a child. Sometimes, they even gain a whole new family!

The post More Than Tutoring, It’s About Hope first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Holidays generally revolve around long-established traditions and family. But what if your situation doesn’t reflect convention, or you have to work during the holidays? Therein lies the challenge TCU women’s basketball team dribbles against every holiday season, as they grind towards their goals in practice or travel to games and tournaments.

Coach Raegan Pebley (Photo/Sharon Ellman)

I asked Coach Raegan Pebley, in her ninth season as Head Hardwood Frog, how she and her players celebrate the holidays. “[I grew up in] a group of six children, so resources as a kid were limited.” The former University of Colorado star and inaugural WNBA draft selection said her family values togetherness, and gifting was done with small gestures. Pebley’s childhood inspired her team’s Secret-Santa tradition. Patricia Morris, TCU’s senior center, excitedly described the team’s gifting extravaganza: “We usually buy three small gifts that are given leading up to Christmas, and then one larger gift at the end.” Coach Pebley said the exchange is so popular among the players they start planning for next year as soon as Christmas is over.

Every family is eclectic in their own way, but a roster of Division I athletes competing in a popular international sport are more eclectic than most. Tara Manumaleuga, a senior shooting guard from Queensland, Australia, is unable to visit her family during Frog basketball’s longest break during the winter holidays, a whopping three consecutive days. “If I did, I’d probably be home for about 20 minutes with the time changes.” Manumaleuga has a Stateside uncle who played football for the University of Arizona, but most of her family is Down Under. She said Australians don’t have a Thanksgiving-equivalent holiday, but her Christmas back home is quite the event thanks to her extended family. “We’ll have full on basketball or volleyball tournaments at my house [where they have their own courts] or go and cookout on the beach.” (Christmas in Queensland is in the height of summer.)

Patricia Morris
(Photo by/Sharon Ellman)

For most of us, holidays are about food as well as family. Pebley had a mobile childhood. The daughter of a coach, her family moved across the country, from North Texas to St. Louis to Utah, where she played high-school basketball. (She started her head-coaching career at Utah State.) Her mom, in addition to raising six children, is a talented cook and would assign holiday cooking duties to Raegan and her siblings. “Baking was my area, and I’d most often make buckeye peanut butter chocolate balls, or sugar cookies.” Cooking with her siblings in her mother’s kitchen led to preparing meals for her athlete family. Pebley usually hosts her players for holiday meals and cooks, giving her players a little taste of home. Manumaleuga recalled last year’s dinner of Chipotle, Coach’s cranberry salsa, Pebley’s mother’s famous rolls, as well as traditional African cuisine ordered from Mama B’s International Kitchen in Grand Prairie.

When asked her holiday must-have, Morris says it’s all about the dressing (or stuffing, depending on how you identify it). Her dad’s cornbread-based recipe with celery and onions is non-negotiable for her. Growing up, Morris helped cook her family’s holiday meal as her father’s sous-chef. The WNBA hopeful’s plate typically includes turkey, ham, greens, and mac and cheese. The dessert of choice is her aunt’s incredible fruitcake.

Tara Manumaleuga
(Photo/Gregg Ellman)

Manumaleuga’s Christmas meal has a Polynesian flair, thanks to her Samoan roots. The psychology major, who plans to continue her career back in Australia or possibly Europe, explained that pavlova, a dessert of baked meringue, whipped cream, and toppings which can include fruits or chocolate, is the food that means the holidays to her. Unfortunately, it isn’t something you see in America much.

Coach Pebley, who has children of her own, said that no matter where her family is on Christmas Eve – which can be just about anywhere – they’re going to make s’mores. Her family modifies them to their liking: graham crackers and marshmallows are the mainstays, but the Pebley kids have been known to get creative, doctoring them with peanut butter, Nutella, sprinkles… The combinations are almost endless.

Regardless of where they are, for TCU’s ladies of the court, holidays are special because of the people they are with. Family can take many forms, and it’s obvious that these women are just that, with their own traditions as they make Fort Worth their home. The rest is just dressing, so to speak.

The post Teaming Up for the Holidays first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Now, a distinguished photographer, Letitia laughs as she recalls this moment and turns to look at her husband, Sedrick, a highly regarded sculptor and painter. With his hands in his lap and his head bowed, you can just catch the glimpse of a grin on Sedrick’s face. Letitia goes on to add, “Outside of our faith, [art] has been one of the great strengths of our marriage because we understand what the other person is trying to do. And we can support each other in that regard.”

The Huckabys are prominent in the art world, which is a polite and understated way to say that the Huckabys are a very big deal. Both artists are educated in their disciplines, with five degrees between them, have exhibited at galleries and museums all over the country, and have works in permanent collections and the Library of Congress.

Kinfolk House
Photo courtesy of Kinfolk House

To have such lauded artists right in our backyard is a testament to our city, for appreciating and fostering the work of local artists, and to the Huckabys themselves, who have chosen Fort Worth as their backdrop rather than a buzzier and more conspicuous city that other artists of their caliber might flock to. But this is home for the couple, and home is the setting for their newest endeavor, Kinfolk House, a collaborative project space in Polytechnic Heights where art and community will converge.

Long before it was Kinfolk House, it was the house of Hallie Beatrice Carpenter, Sedrick’s grandmother, affectionately known to everyone as “Big Momma.” A structure that has truly stood the test of time (100 plus years and counting), Sedrick remembers the house as a home in every sense of the word. “Creatively, she [the house] was a place people liked to come to. This is where we would gather. You were always welcome and if you were going through a hard time, it was somewhere you could stay if you needed to,” he recalls. He describes his grandmother as a “real spiritual woman” who loved her family, church, and neighbors, the universal elements that support a strong community framework. These elements are also recurring themes expressed in Letitia’s photography, which documents the Black experience, and Sedrick’s paintings, which highlight the remarkableness of everyday people.

The Huckabys’ vision for Kinfolk House did not emerge overnight. Like anything meaningful, it took time to develop. According to Sedrick, “It was the culmination of years of life, years of thinking, and a number of things that cross intersect.” A pivotal experience studying the master paintings in Europe, which inspired his love for Old World chapels, expanded his perception of art as it relates to place. “Visiting these wonderful places and spaces, places that have a certain essence to them, you are just moved by being in this artistic environment. And that would later intersect with thoughts about community, different communities I’ve been in, thoughts about family and thoughts about art in general.”

Eventually, the Huckabys determined that Big Momma’s house, a space sacred to the family, should be reimagined as a space to cultivate and harvest art in this richly cultural neighborhood. The mission statement of Kinfolk House states, “Our goal is to uplift the beauty, talent, and culture in Polytechnic and feed its creativity by offering collaborative exhibitions, events, and educational opportunities of various disciplines.”

“Welcome,” Letitia and Sedrick Huckaby
Photo courtesy of Kinfolk House

It’s been 12 years since the Huckabys took ownership of Big Momma’s. Kinfolk House officially opened its doors to the public on March 5. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Letitia and Sedrick are hosting their first project, Welcome, a special collaboration of combined works that reflect family, heritage, and legacy. The exhibit pays homage to Big Momma, born Hallie Beatrice Welcome, and will runs through April 24. As the name implies, all are welcome.

The beauty of art is that it can be anything to anyone. For Letitia, art is found in movement and setting captured with her camera. For Sedrick, it’s best expressed through clay and oil paint. And while their mediums are different, the two perceive art, this abstract expression of creativity and emotion, as an innate form of expression found in all human beings. Simply put, art is their love language.

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5, and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her husband, talking about her cat.

The post Places & Spaces, Art & Community first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Yes! You can enjoy the Trinity on a beautiful spring day fishing the Fort at Flyfest!

On Saturday, March 12, the Trinity River between Bryant Irvin and the Chisolm Trail Parkway will come alive with anglers of all ages as they cast for native species like catfish, crappie, bluegill, and sunfish, as well as some of the 1800 rainbow trout that the TRWD stocks. This unique urban fishing event great (and free!) start to Spring Break!

There’s something for fishers of every level of experience and skill. Expert anglers will give presentations on fly fishing topics ranging from fishing the Trinity to saltwater fly fishing to fishing destinations around Texas. For the do-it-yourself angler, there will be fly tying demonstrations in the Coffee & Caddis Fly Tying Area. For the curious, there are casting classes and demonstrations throughout the day. There are also casting contests for distance and accuracy where you can show off your skills. And open fishing along the river is encouraged throughout the day. (A fishing license is required for anglers over 17 years old.)

Anglers of all skills are invited to sign up for the Orvis Big Trout Contest. This fun and exciting contest is open to all (but pre-registration is required!), with prizes given for most fish caught, longest fish caught, and catching and official “Golden Palomino Trout.” Grab a partner and some flies (only hand-tied flies are permitted) and register now. Or simply grab a spot on the bank of the Trinity on March 12, hang out and enjoy watching the fun and energetic competition!

Not a fisher? No problem! Flyfest is the ultimate family outdoor event with something for everyone.

Kids will enjoy the rock wall, the kids’ fishing area, face painting, and other free activities. There will be live music all day, provided by local favorite, Chattahoochee Music. Chef Stefon Rishel of Wishbone & Flynt, The Amber Room, Parker County Ice House, and the soon-to-open Tremogli will be giving cooking demonstrations. Learn how to make smoked trout dip and ruby trout ceviche – yum!

No outdoor fest is complete without food and drink! Martin House Brewing Company, Panther Island Brewing, HopFusion Ale Works, and other breweries will be on site for tasting and purchasing. If your taste doesn’t run to beer, try some wine from Lost Oak Winery, Cowtown Winery, Rancho Loma Vineyards and more. Acadia Parish Crawfish, Gepetto’s Pizza Truck, and Red’s Bar B Que will be onsite to provide fuel for more fishing or simply a delicious break from the fun.

Of course, the best part of Flyfest is spending time with family and friends outdoors. Walk or bike to Flyfest along Trinity Trails. Bring your dog and a picnic blanket and soak up the sun. Get outside, have fun, and “Fish-the-Fort!”

FLYFEST INFO

When: Saturday, March 12, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: Trinity Trails River Park Trailhead, 3100 Bryant Irvin Road
How Much? Admission is free. Parking at the River Park Trailhead is $5. Registration for the Orvis Big Trout Contest is $40 with pre-registration required. For rules and registration for the Big Trout Contest, go to trwdflyfest.com/activities/orvis-big-trout-contest
Fishing License? A fishing license is required for fishers over 17.
For More Information: Go to trwdflyfest.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TRWDFlyfest
Instagram: @trwdflyfest

The post The Ultimate Family Outdoor Experience Has Something for Everyone first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Arte y Artesanía Botánica: Mexico’s Abiding Connection to the Natural World at BRIT | Fort Worth Botanical Garden

August 13 – November 5

Explore Texas Hispanic culture at Fort Worth Botanical Garden. This event will feature plant based folk pieces such as basketry, native Mexican amate bark painting and Zapotec woven rugs made with natural dyes celebrating Mexico’s rich and creative culture from the 19^th and 20^th century.

Photo courtesy of TCU Athletics

TCU Football

September 4 – December 4

It’s hardly Fall season in Fort Worth without our beloved TCU football! Whether you’re a Fort Worth native or newbie or visitor, carry on the Fall tradition of supporting and enjoying local college football. Go Frogs!

Homeschool Day: Terrific Trees at Brit | Fort Worth Botanical Garden

September 7

During September’s Homeschool Day program, learn more about the trees the grow along the Texas Native Forest Boardwalk, how they got there, and how they are vital not only to us, but many other animals and creatures!

Gallery Night at FWADA

September 11

Twice a year, the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association (FWADA) invites you to take in the visual arts and their community’s unique cultural richness during Gallery Night in Fort Worth. Most participants are open from noon to nine. Come take a stroll through participating galleries, museums, retail businesses, and area restaurants, and enjoy the many artists featured during this community event. Gallery Night is free and open to the public, visit their website for more information.

You Send Me – A Salute to the Life and Music of Sam Cook at Casa Manana

September 14 – 25

‘Twist the night away’ in the Reid Cabaret Theatre with the stories and music of the King of Soul, Sam Cooke. Singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and civil rights activist, Cooke fused soul and pop, pioneering the sound for future R&B artists. In 1960 his career skyrocketed from his first secular single “You Send Me,” which was followed by the chart-toppers “Chain Gang,” “Another Saturday Night” and “Cupid.” “A Change Is Gonna Come,” released following his untimely death, is regarded as the anthem for the civil rights movement. These timeless hits have been covered by musicians from Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison and Otis Redding to John Lennon, securing his lasting legacy. This show is suitable for most audiences.

The annual Dachshund Dash at Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest at Panther Island Pavilion

September 22 – 25

Oktoberfest in Fort Worth returns at Panther Island Pavilion! Get ready to experience authentic German food, music, dancing, games, shopping and biergartens. You can watch the fur fly at the Dachshund Dash, shop for clothing, treats and souvenirs in the Marktsraße or catch a thrill ride in the Midway. For bier lovers, they have Spaten and other delicious Fall and Oktoberfest bier from all around the country. Visit their website for tickets and more information.

Teen Workshop: Drawing Animals at Sid Richardson Museum (virtual event)

September 25

A unique opportunity for your creative teens! This virtual event will cover peer-to-peer techniques of drawing animals. Visit their website for more information and to register your aspiring artist!

60th Birthday Bash | Amon Carter Museum of American Art

September 25

Amon Carter Museum turns 60! Come participate in the free outdoor event featuring live music, gallery tours, food trucks and an amazing firework show to end the night! Free tickets are required to attend, so nab your tickets and find more information on their website.

Gretta Hendricks is a multidisciplinary creative who has been a chocolatier, baker, birth-doula, performance artist, and freelance writer, although her favorite job to-date has been becoming a first-time mama to her beautiful rainbow baby, Ofelia, born in January of 2020. Gretta has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember and is passionately interested in the ways she can both learn and share from the art of storytelling. Alongside her husband and daughter, she loves living in and exploring Fort Worth as well as pouring into her church and local community.

The post Fall’s Here! September’s Fun in the Fort first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

You are involved with a local group called Heart Work. Explain the mission of this organization.

Heart Work is a group of Fort Worth women that are working together to highlight and uncover how racial injustice impacts our local community. In addition to sharing perspectives, we commit to seeking understanding through self-reflection and inquiry. It is a collective commitment as well as a singular one. The “heart” in heart work requires us to look within- to find our own biases and perhaps the ways in which we contribute (voluntarily or involuntarily) to systems of inequality.

What inspired your involvement with Heart Work and what have you learned?

As soon as I learned about the group, I was ready to participate. After the George Floyd protests when the global lens was focused on racial justice, I wanted to be a part of the dialogue. I was pleased that Heart Work had a local focus as I was convinced that smaller more immediate circles would produce more meaningful change.

I have learned that there is so much about race in America that we just don’t know. That means people are negotiating issues of racial justice and systemic inequality without foundational understanding. Yet, that is not an excuse. It is up to us, ALL of us to educate ourselves so that we don’t repeat past mistakes; so that we can move forward and not backwards.

How can others get involved?

Others can get involved by joining the Heart Work community and being willing to listen and learn and then speak. We value your voice, but your ears are just as important. I am always surprised by the number of participants who listen without saying a word. My belief is that they are reflecting, and that reflection is a vital part of the work we have to do.

You are also an adjunct professor at a local community college. What do you teach your students?

I teach them that their opinions matter. I teach them how to make their ideas understood. I take great joy in helping them master the art of critical thinking and harness the power of their individual voices. As a writing instructor, I think that’s the most important thing. Once you can communicate effectively, you sparkle and shine differently.

You’re passionate about literacy as a civil right. What improvements could the education system make to achieve equitable learning opportunities for kids of all ages?

If we want to get education right for all kids, we are going to have to do a better job of actually teaching foundational skills. That means better teacher preparation and more responsive, reflective instruction. The teacher is actually the most important factor in the educational equation. The teacher must be trained to do the job; and the more vulnerable the student, the better prepared the teacher needs to be. We aren’t getting that part right. It’s easy to get caught up in the “achievement gap.” Yet, if our current educational practices were stronger, the gap wouldn’t matter as much. If the majority of students (Black, Brown or White) were headed for the moon, the ones that didn’t make it would still be among the stars. Currently, many aren’t getting off the ground. If we think of literacy as a civil right, then it becomes our duty to make sure everyone is successful.

You have three kids of your own. How do you balance work, community involvement and family life?

I always laugh and say that if I actually wrote my full schedule out on paper, I would insist that I couldn’t possibly do it all. But I do! And then I remember that I’m able to “do it all” because I’m not alone. I have an amazing husband who is an equally amazing father. As a team, we just seem to always make it work. It’s kind of like magic.

Originally from Ohio, you found yourself in Fort Worth. What do you love about our city?

I love that Fort Worth is a big city with a small-town feel. There is a real sense of community in Fort Worth, and I think that’s what keeps me here. I can truly say, “I love where I live.”

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5 and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her fiancé, talking about her cat.

The post Worthy Convos: Elisabeth Ivy on Family, Work, and Doing the Heart Work first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

For some however, going to the museum simply isn’t feasible yet. Enter Carter’s Manager of Family Programs, Alli Rogers Andreen. Rogers Andreen joined the Amon Carter staff at the end of August last year and hit the ground running, creatively developing fun and educational family and child friendly programs that don’t require a day at the museum but allow you to bring the museum to your home.

Rogers Andreen was tasked with developing the Carter’s Family Program offerings. Like so much in our lives these days the Carter has taken its family programs into a virtual setting. “We’ve been working hard and getting creative with how we are meeting the community and finding ways to connect with people in their homes”, said Rogers Andreen. Her goal is to ensure the Carter’s family programs are flexible, enriching, fun and serious. To that end, virtual sessions are often coupled with activities that include downloadable materials and items that most of us have in our homes.

Photo courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Falling under the overarching theme of “Growing Up At The Carter”, the Carter has developed three monthly programs and a quarterly one, based on age.

Itty Bitty Art, designed for infants up to 24 month old in partnership with Fort Worth Public Library, focuses on sensory learning to engage with works of art. With downloadable materials and items that can be picked up at the museum the littlest art lovers develop their vision with high-contrast photographs and use tactile materials that expand their sense of touch. A downloadable Spotify playlist inspired by the collection or event theme is the centerpiece for the “Listen Up” program module.

Photo courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

For two to three year olds, Toddler Studio is currently cast on Facebook Live and is themed “Meet Your Museum Neighbors”. Each month a different member of the Amon Carter staff is introduced and discusses how their role is important to the art museum. The guest could be an artist, an exhibition designer, or a photography conservator. One guest who is always there is Prickles, the fun-loving and silly jackalope puppet. These sessions are generally accompanied by playful activities and artmaking prompts inspired by the person the children have met. And Prickles, of course.

For the preschoolers, Carter Play Date is currently hosted on Zoom and includes gallery adventures, allowing kids to interact with each other in art-inspired activities using materials participants are likely to have at home. Carter Play Date is all about exploring art, being silly and making memories.

Finally, the Carter’s family workshops are geared for kids 6 to 12 years of age and their grown-ups. This quarterly program, hosted on Zoom, is an art-making workshop inspired by artworks on view in the Amon Carter’s galleries. Recent workshop attendees created watercolor suncatchers inspired by Natasha Bowdoin’s installation In the Night Garden.

Alli Rogers Andreen
Photo courtesy of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Spring Break and Summer programs are in the works as well and more information about all the programs can be found on the Amon Carter website.

One of the things we love so much about museums in general, and the Amon Carter in particular, is you can take a trip through time across the country or around the world without leaving Fort Worth. One day soon we will all be back at the museum with our friends and neighbors. Until then, thanks to the creativity and dedication of people like Alli Rogers Andreen, we can take our mind-expanding flights of art appreciation from the comfort and safety of our own homes.

The post Growing Up at the Carter first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The coronavirus is taking lives. It’s taking jobs. It’s taking the world as we know it and flipping it on its head. It’s sending some people into a hoarding frenzy and sending others into a black depression. It’s taking people’s jobs and sending healthcare workers onto the front lines of a battlefield without the proper equipment.

For me, it shut down my photography business. Getting used to having no real work right now has been a shock to my system. I quickly learned that a photographer is not essential. I know that being nonessential means that I’m one of the lucky ones. I don’t have to put my life and the lives of my loved ones on the line, and trust me, I am grateful for that. But I’m not going to lie – the realization that I’m “nonessential” was a punch in the gut.

Accepting the fact that the business I busted my behind to build is now shut down has been a difficult pill to swallow. I poured my heart and soul into building relationships with my customers. To sit helplessly and watch it all come to a screeching halt has been surreal and painful. In all my sudden spare time, I can’t help but wonder how life will be when things get back to “normal.” Will life ever be normal again? And when? How long is this really going to go on? There are so many questions that are going unanswered right now.

At first, I did what I felt like I needed to do: I let myself mourn. I let myself mourn for my business. I let myself mourn for all the people getting sick with this horrible virus. I let myself mourn for the healthcare workers who have to quarantine themselves from their families to treat ours. I let myself mourn missing friends, family, and vacations. I let myself mourn all the friends losing their jobs. I let myself mourn for the children who don’t understand why they can’t see their friends and teachers and grandparents right now. I mourned, and I was unapologetic about it. I did this to get it out of the way, because I knew that soon I would need to pick myself up and get back on my feet with a clear head and a new plan for how to be there for my family in the best way I can be right.

Early into this “new normal,” I heard someone say it’s like we were all put in a giant time out. For a lot of us, that’s exactly what this feels like. And we can either choose to live in denial over it, or we can take these lemons and try to make some lemonade or even a dang good French 75. The opportunities are there. This could look like teaching your kids new skills, building gardens, or improving your home. Maybe this is a time when you can work on building healthier self-care habits that you can continue once this is over.

I think this is a great time to focus on others. Focusing on others always gets me outside of my own head, feelings, and yes, self-pity, and it makes me feel more grateful and fulfilled.

***

In adapting to this strange new normal, I realized one of the first things was let go of the word “should.” I kept lamenting “we should be going on this trip right now,” or “I should be out with so-and-so doing this today.” But “should” is unhelpful in a world like this new one I find myself in. So, I stopped saying it. In doing that, I took this phrase to heart:

Do what you can with what you have wherever you are.

With that as my new mantra, I set out to let go of what “should” be happening to focus on what was right in front of me. There are some habits I’m trying to cultivate in my new role of whatever-the-heck-my-new-title-is. (I’m calling myself a teacher/farmer/mixologist.)

I am listening and validating. This time is a rollercoaster for everyone. I’ve noticed that my six-year-old daughter, like all of us, is having good days and not-as-good days. At times, she seems totally content, and other when I can tell that she’s struggling with trying to make sense of all of this and understand when she can resume her normal life again.

On rough days, my daughter will ask out of the blue, “Can you hold me please?” or “Mommy, can you read me a story?” I am not assuming this is just boredom speaking. I am hearing this as a child’s way of saying she feels sad, lonely, or anxious and needs some extra attention to cope with these big emotions. When she asks questions about the coronavirus or if our loved ones will get sick, I try to give her honest, age-appropriate answers and then talk through how she feels. If I can see that she’s having a hard time expressing something, I may say “Is that sad to think about?” or “Do you feel disappointed?”  Then I follow up by telling her that it’s disappointing for me too BUT that the good news is that this is temporary. Someday we will get to see our friends again and hug them and do all the fun things we used to do. You can see a little flood of relief wash over her face just at having been heard and having her feelings validated.

I am focusing on teaching my daughter character. Spend any amount of time with someone, and you are bound to see their flaws. Are you noticing some traits in your kids that you don’t love? Repeat after me: this is a teachable moment. I don’t mean scream at them every time they forget to use their manners or make them feel guilty when they leave their wet towel on the floor. Use this time at home to teach them some better routines. This is THE time to work on breaking old habits and forming new ones.

Don’t just focus on others’ character. Spend some time reflecting on things you can improve about yourself. I’m a workaholic. I fully admit that. It’s easy for me to get laser-focused and completely wrapped up in my work and my goals and my never-ending to-do list. Now I’m focusing on being more present, limiting my screen time to certain times of day, and shifting my focus completely off work and on to my family. I’m also looking for opportunities to show more personal, selfless support to others or simply send a little happiness in a friend’s direction. When else am I going to have such a perfect opportunity to really focus on this? I don’t want to get to the end of enforced shutdown and realize I only worked on things that will benefit myself.

I am looking for the opportunities. When I started looking around for things to do, it didn’t take long to see all the opportunities. Right now, my family is focusing on lots of outdoor time, creativity in the kitchen, and the arts. It feels like stepping back into a simpler time, and I must admit that although I miss my friends, my family, and my clients, I am soaking up living in a more simplistic manner. My head feels clearer, I feel naturally more present, and my daughter is enjoying all the activities we’re doing together.

We go exploring every day. There’s something very healing about getting outside. We take walks in our backyard and look for birds’ nests, new flowers popping up, and snails and ladybugs. Just being outside lifts our moods tremendously. We’ve also become huge fans of scavenger hunts. (Thank goodness for Pinterest; it’s chock-full of ideas for a newly-present mom!)

After talking about it but never doing it, our family finally had the time to build a vegetable garden. In the last week of March, we planted the garden, and we’re stunned at how quickly things are growing. It’s wonderful to look forward to seeing the changes every day. We water and check for new growth. This summer, we’ll harvest the peppers, tomatoes, green beans, carrots, onions, strawberries, and herbs we planted during the height of the coronavirus uncertainty.

With the garden came the chickens. My husband has been wanting them for some time, and I finally caved. We got eight baby chicks, and he’s built a custom coop for them. They are so cute, and our daughter loves going to talk and snuggle them.

We have a piano that hasn’t been played in years. Now my husband is giving our daughter lessons when he takes a break from his work during the day, and it’s a great replacement for music class. We also make art and create crafts. It’s a wonderful way for children to express themselves and give a parent a little break if needed.

The art of handwritten letters feels lost, doesn’t it? When I was small, I would write to my friends when I was bored, and I still love getting a handwritten note in the mail. My daughter and I try to write someone every week – a grandparent, a cousin, a friend. It’s a sweet, simple way to send cheer to someone who might need it.

I quickly came to the realization that this is the perfect time to mix things up in the kitchen. We have baked cookies and cakes, and we’ve tried new recipes. Some are winners and some are not so winning, but we’re adding to our repertoire of family meals. I’ve also become quite the mixologist, if I do say so myself, and I’m looking forward to the day when I can invite friends over again and share some of these new creations with them.

My family used all these new-found skills and habits recently when we had a family date night. We got dressed up like we would if we were really going out on the town. We cooked a delicious dinner and ate it together on our patio. We then retired to the living room, which we had turned into a movie theater, complete with popcorn and candy, and watched Trolls World Tour. No phones or tablets were allowed!

I don’t want to give the wrong impression. I know that there is nothing that can turn a global pandemic into something fun or productive. There are people dying from COVID-19 every day, and it will be a long time before the coronavirus burns itself out. The global economy will take years to restart. Our world is going to be significantly changed by this disease.

But…

For those fortunate enough to ride this storm out in the safety of their homes, the pandemic gives us the time for making memories, for starting new traditions, for (re)learning to use what you have, and for making the most of this time together. Not everyone will start a garden or buy chickens or have cheesy date nights like we do, but I hope you will remember this: at the end of the day, we will all want to look back at this time and be proud of the way we spent it. I want my daughter to remember this time not as the scary time that the world shut down because of a virus but as the time that she learned how to care for animals and write letters and send cheer to her friends and simply be with her family.

The coronavirus pandemic has actually given us a gift. We have the time to become the person we think we “should” be.

Jodie Miears is the owner of and creative genius behind Reverie Photo Co. Her work has graced the pages of Madeworthy time and time again. She is a wife and mother of three beautiful children.

The post Becoming (and Embracing) Nonessential first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.