Today's tea with Julie is called Be Open to Surprise.

If we want our kids to be open to surprise, then so should we be.

One of the most difficult parts of any relationship is the fantasy we create in our heads of how it should go as compared with how it really is.

We have scripts, we have characters, we have motivations.

All of these items add up to wishing for actions like these

appreciative words, flowers on the right day. A spontaneously cleaned up space without anyone asking, sharing freely, affection and warmth,

cooperation, sincerely listening, not judging, space for our breakdowns, help right at the moment,

not because we asked for it. Then we walk into our days unaware of these well directed

scenes at work in our subconscious and we measure the people we love by them. She didn't even notice her mess from last night.

Why are they fighting again? Isn't anyone aware that I need help?

Once these imagined scenarios get a grip, we become easily disillusioned or despondent when we're faced with a scene that does not match our hopes.

Stay open to surprise.

Brave writer has a lot going on this summer and I want to make you aware of it.

First, we offer online classes that are appropriate for electives such as fan fiction and writing the short story or even

world building or comic strip capers. These are terrific experiences in writing for your kids that don't feel like school that

accomplish all the goals you have for them to grow as writers.

You can find out more about our online class program by clicking the link in the show notes or going to bravewriter.com and scrolling down to the link on the home page.

The summer is also a great time to learn more about our literature programs.

Brave Rider offers you a monthly guide, what we call a handbook, that teaches you how to teach the mechanics of writing

naturally.

So all that stuff you worry about like punctuation and grammar and spelling, and whether

they understand literary devices or literary analysis.

...