FreeFlight Launchpad for Life

10/10/2024

It's that time of the year when we all play lots of Board Games! Playing board games provides a shared experience for family members. It's a designated time for everyone to come together, focus on a common activity, and share in the enjoyment of the game. It helps improve Communication, encourages Friendly Competition, improves Problem-Solving Skills, and creates Quality Time. There is much laughter and fun, creating memories and an opportunity for Multigenerational Interaction. What is your favorite Board Game?

10/03/2024

If a child breaks a vase, in English we may say "HE broke the vase" bringing negative attention to the child. In Spanish people would say "The vase is broken" giving more credit to the environment. A small difference with big consequences. Different languages make us feel, think, and behave differently and light up various parts of our brain, thereby affecting our personality.

Parents - do we pay attention to how we speak to our kids and how we react to the way they speak to us. How can we use language not just as a communication tool but as a tool that shapes our thoughts and helps us grow? Please share your thoughts.

https://youtu.be/Q7yyYdiNTIo?si=lv5sbFhctsQoHSE0

This video was sponsored by Wiseone. To install Wiseone, visit https://wiseone.io/, simply click the "Add to Chrome" button and install the extension.Lingui...

09/19/2024

Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect for mental health; Safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives" - Bessel van der Kolk, author of NY Times bestseller "Body Keeps Score"

Communication is Key: Engage in open conversations with your children. Let them know they can share their thoughts, fears, and dreams without fear of judgment. This creates a culture of openness and understanding.

The journey of parenting is enriched when built on a foundation of safety and connection. How do you cultivate a safe and secure environment for your family? Share your tips and experiences!

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

09/12/2024

🎓 Navigating the Dark Side of Grades: Unveiling the Shadows of Student Evaluation 🌑

Hey, education enthusiasts! Let's talk about the flip side of grades - those seemingly innocuous letters or numbers that carry more weight than we often realize. 📚✨

While grades are commonly used as a measure of academic performance, there are negative aspects associated with this practice. They are: Stress and Anxiety, Focus on Competition, Limited Assessment of Skills, Fear of Failure, Reduced Intrinsic Motivation, Focus on Memorization, Impact on Self-esteem, Labeling and Stereotyping, and Misrepresenting a child's ability.

Let's not forget, education is about growth, exploration, and understanding. How can we shift the focus from grades to holistic learning? Share your thoughts! 💬

09/05/2024

🌟 Embrace Your Value! 💰

Watch this video - https://youtu.be/XOefJFb0_T8?si=8d9bdULScJB-_l1G

Just like a crushed $20 bill doesn't lose its worth, remember that no matter what life throws your way, YOU are always valuable!

Life's challenges may bend us, but they can't break our spirit. Embrace your resilience and strength.

No matter your flaws, setbacks, or imperfections, you are unique and irreplaceable. Embrace your self-worth and shine brightly!

Tag someone who needs this reminder today. Let's spread positivity and self-love! 🙌❤️

08/29/2024

FreeFlight Role Models have achieved financial independence, happiness, and success by exploring lesser-known paths. These inspiring individuals embody true heroism, demonstrating resilience, grit, and the essence of what truly matters.

On our last day of camp last year, we had Jason Strubing from Skateworks Downtown Los Altos talk to kids and parents about his school life, following his passion, parental support, and how he learned on the job. He also spoke about Safety across all areas ranging from Skateboarding to being safe from drugs and alcohol. Thank you for being a FreeFlight Role Model for our young teens and for giving them a 360 on Safety Skills!

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08/15/2024

Last year we held a workshop where middle school minds delved into peer pressure & bullying, discovering a surprising twist: the greatest pressure often stems from well-meaning parents, comparing achievements and effort.

While parental support is cherished, we're uniting to strike a balance between ambition & joy, embracing errors on our unique journeys.

Let's celebrate individuality, lifting each other up without undue expectations.

Join the conversation – share your thoughts!

08/08/2024

According to social psychologist Emily Balcetis, a key to achieving success is to visualize all the possible failures along the way and to come up with a plan to address them.

Have you had this experience? Tell us about it!

08/01/2024

Last week, we talked about the signs of burnout: feeling exhausted all the time, having trouble making decisions, and feeling like you never have enough time or energy to do anything. And while those are definitely some serious symptoms, they're also things that can be worked on.

So today we want to give you some actionable ways to recover from burnout and prevent it in the first place. It starts with the small steps!

07/25/2024

When you're working hard to get ahead, it can be tempting to push through and ignore the signs of burnout. Burnout is a state of physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It's very common in today's fast-paced world, where we're expected to do more with less time—and often while juggling multiple responsibilities. Burnout can lead to chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety, along with other health problems.

Burnout happens when we don't take care of ourselves mentally or physically, or when we don't set boundaries for ourselves. If you feel like something is wrong but can't put your finger on it, try looking for these signs of burnout!

07/18/2024

You know what’s nice about having a pet? It’s like having a mindfulness master.

One of our core values at FreeFlight is mindfulness, and it's a beautiful thing to slow down and spend some time with our fluffy friends. They make it easier to relax, think more clearly and focus on the things that are important.

Here's a 5 minute read about the benefits of pet companionship here: https://bit.ly/2BYTzIY

07/11/2024

Teens and parents, It's time to pick up a book and explore something new.

If you enjoy the classics, Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway is the way to go.

"How do you solve a problem like Clarissa Dalloway? You read Mrs. Dalloway." - FreeFlight Staff Member.