July Moga Newsletter
Monthly Musings, Little Things, and Compassion Over Perfection
Hey, Moga friends! It’s summer, baby! Last time I left you, we were fast approaching one of my favorite seasons, and now we’re in the midst of it. It’s funny to think that when summer officially rolls in, we begin our slow descent to darker evenings that eventually lead to fall, and then winter. But I’m going to choose to ignore that fact and instead bask in the glory of the lighter evenings (for now).
As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, summer tends to bring on this “must see/do it all before it’s over” rush, and I don’t like it. As many of you can attest, the school year is BUSY, and I am craving a slower pace. So, this summer I’m really trying to enjoy doing less, even if it means sitting around without a plan. I need more sitting around in my life. So far, we’ve been busy sitting by the shores of Walden Pond while the kids and all their neighborhood friends swim and fish, or walking with our dogs, or doing home projects. I’m craving staying closer to home, and for the first time in a long time, I think I’d be OK if we did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING this summer.
Speaking of fishing, did you know that fishing is quite the risky hobby? You just never know when you’re going to make a homemade lure and then attempt to test its strength only to have the hook slip and land straight into your finger, barb and all. Now, I don’t know from personal experience, but I do know someone who does! To be honest, I wasn’t surprised when I was folding laundry upstairs and heard the start of a soft cry coming from the basement, that I’d be heading to the ER. And funny (or not so funny), these things almost always happen when Patty D is at work. Anyway, just so you know, Emerson Hospital sees all sorts of fishing hook accidents, so they’re well-equipped if a little fisherman in your life ever needs a hook removal.
At this point, nothing really phases me, and I’ve gotten really good at packing an ER snack bag and library book in under five minutes. I don’t do blood and gore well, but I’ve grown a lot, and I’m happy to report I didn’t pass out and become another ER patient. These are the moments, though, that make me appreciate all the little things. In the grand scheme of things, this was just a little blip in our day. In fact, by evening, we were back at Walden swimming and fishing—injury free.
So, I’ve been spending my days trying to notice these little things a little more, so when these kinda not-so-little things happen, I’m less rattled. For me, these little things have been listening to my kids help each other “rig up” their fishing lines (without fighting!), opening the windows and listening to the rustle of leaves, or doing yoga in my backyard (more on this later).
The little things can also be found in the moments we mindfully cultivate—like when I realized Cam would be home for my birthday and Mumford & Sons was playing in MA the very next day. I grabbed tickets for the whole family right away, knowing all I wanted for my birthday was to be with them, listening to one of our favorite bands.
This year, I also decided I would take charge of how I wanted to spend my birthday instead of hoping someone in my family would read my mind and plan exactly what I wanted (which, let’s be honest, is usually what I do). With the recommendation of a good friend, I planned my special day exactly how I wanted, and I’m happy to report it was awesome—from a simple backyard takeout dinner to a picnic table adorned with a thoughtful bunch of flowers picked by a friend and my favorite playlist humming in the background. It’s in these moments that I try to pause, close my eyes, and breathe it all in—searing the moment into my memory forever.
This summer, I’ve been thinking about all these little moments that have happened over the years—some planned, others completely unexpected—that I’ll cherish long after the things I’ve collected, purchased, or held onto are gone. My hope is to keep collecting more of these simple, meaningful memories as the summer months continue to unfold and I’m wishing the same for you. Happy Summer!
Love Letters From Nature
Speaking of little things, fireflies are HERE! A few nights ago, I was dumping my dogs’ dumps (literally) in the woods behind my house and was treated to quite the light show. It’s hard to imagine how something so little can create something so spectacular, and yet nature seems to do this all the time. Thinking about this season in my life, I’m finding that I’m holding on to these little moments more and more lately. So when I came inside and urged everyone outside, most of my family joined me.
Sometimes the greatest things come in the tiniest of packages—so tiny that if we’re not paying attention, we’ll miss them every time. I didn’t take a picture of the light show that night because I chose to polaroid that moment in my mind instead of running for my phone and possibly missing it. But I wanted to capture the feeling to share, so a few nights ago I went outside with the purpose of catching a similar moment and was pleased to snap a few fireflies on camera.
Wishing you time in nature this summer to watch the miracle of all the little things, even if you don’t get the chance to capture it on film.
Kid Moga
Since I’m on summer vacation, I haven’t been working much with kids lately. At the end of the month, I’ll be working with the Fenn wellness team to continue fine-tuning our new student wellness curriculum, also known as THRIVE. For now, I’ve been deep in parenting mode, thinking a lot about how best to navigate summer vacation with two boys who want to do different things but still need me to bring them places. If I’m being honest, my patience has been thinning, and it’s only been a few weeks since we started vacation!
So, I was (and wasn’t) surprised when my therapist recently told me that the U.S. Surgeon General had issued a new public health warning: modern parenting. One of the major reasons? A culture of comparison. As both an educator and a parent, I see this every day—the pressure parents feel to make sure their kids are keeping up with their peers, have all the same opportunities, and are somehow excelling in every area: academics, athletics, social life, you name it. I’m fully aware of these traps, and I still fall into them. And there’s no better time than summer to feel those pressures creep in. Last summer, I felt them hard. Did anyone else cry during Barbie? Because I did—especially when America Ferrera launched into her monologue about the impossible expectations placed on women. But this isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s a parenting and caregiving issue. That said, it’s also a human issue. Even if you’re not a parent or working with kids, the message still applies: the culture of comparison seeps into how we measure our own worth, how we talk to ourselves, and how we show up in the world. We can all benefit from stepping back, noticing those voices of judgment—whether directed at ourselves or others—and choosing a kinder way forward.
We’ve gone off course in so many ways, and somewhere along the line, we’ve lost touch with what it really means to be a child (and have an inner child) or to care for one. But there’s good news. We don’t have to wait for the government to change it’s priorities to support families (although that would be nice!). We can take some simple steps to start now.
- Take Time for You. A few minutes of mindfulness, deep breathing, stretching, or silence can reset your nervous system. Yoga or meditation doesn't need to be 30 minutes. Check out Yoga with Adriene who has practices categorized by length.
- Stay connected. Send a text, voice note, or walk with another parent. When our boys were very little, I was part of a “supper club”—a small group of moms who gathered for dinner once a week, with a different family hosting each time. It was literally the highlight of my week.
- Ask for help. This is a hard one for me. Whether it’s a ride to practice, a dinner suggestion, or just someone to listen—asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
- Pay Attention. Notice when you judge another parent. We've all done it. Instead of comparison, try asking: What would it look like to support them?
- Drop the highlight reel. We’re not here to “win” parenting. One-upping fuels stress and disconnection.
- Talk about the hard stuff! Sharing struggles doesn’t make you less capable—it makes you human. And it gives other parents permission to be real, too.
- Kids are always watching. When we choose connection over competition, compassion over judgment, they learn to do the same.
And to be clear, every single one of these is something I’ve been actively working on—especially over the past few years when I was so burned out I had to step away from work and my parenting took a real hit. I’m nowhere near perfect and never will be, but I believe there’s real strength in being willing to share our messy parts and to keep choosing compassion over perfection.
Recommendations from a Mindful Library
As the kids say, I’m currently in my reading arc (not sure if I’m using that quite right, but you get the idea). I love summer for so many reasons and having more time to read is definitely near the top of the list. As usual, I’ve got a mix of titles to share—hoping some will resonate with you, your friends and family, or the young readers in your life.
A hockey mom friend and I used to sit in the stands talking about books while occasionally glancing up at the scoreboard, and this was one of her recommendations from years ago after I shared my love of lighthouses. And what better time to read a book about lighthouses than in the summer? Hello Lighthouse is an adorable picture book that captures the rhythm, solitude, and beauty of life inside a lighthouse. The illustrations are just as beautiful as the story itself!
I can’t remember if I’ve shared any Dan Gemeinhart titles before, and if not, I’m honestly shocked, because he’s one of my all-time favorite middle grade authors. Some Kind of Courage is a standout, and one I just finished reading aloud to my Fenn fifth graders (who were literally on the edge of their library seats). It follows a boy named Joseph on a mission to find his beloved horse, Sarah, who was sold without his knowledge. Along the way, he meets Ah-Kee, and the two boys—each searching for something—form an unlikely friendship. Set in 1890, the book includes language and attitudes reflective of that time, some of which are now considered offensive. But this historical context also opens the door to important conversations about race, justice, courage, and doing the right thing—even when it’s hard. Love, love, love!
Remember my love affair with West with Giraffes? Well, the moment I finished it, I ran straight to the library to grab Lynda Rutledge’s newest book, Mockingbird Summer. While it’s categorized as adult fiction, I couldn’t help but think how well it would resonate with a mature middle or high school reader. Set in 1960s Texas, it’s a coming-of-age story about friendship, justice, and standing up for what’s right—all through the eyes of a 13-year-old girl navigating a world of change. It’s heartfelt, timely, and full of summer nostalgia, too.
I wish I could remember who recommended this book to me (if you’re reading this, and it was you, please let me know!), but someone did, and when Fenn brought us to the Concord Bookshop for our annual English Nerd Department outing, I grabbed this. The Lioness of Boston is a fictionalized account of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s life as an unconventional Boston socialite. Set in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the novel follows Isabella’s journey as she defies societal expectations (Barbie would be proud!), travels the world, and ultimately creates one of the most unique and beloved art museums in the country. I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I’ve lived in this area my whole life and have never been to the museum—but after reading this book, I’m excited to finally make the trip. (Bonus tip: If your name is Isabella, you get in free! And the rest of us can go for free on the first Thursday of the month after 3 p.m.)
And lastly, from one of my favorite nature authors, comes How to Catch a Mole—part memoir, part meditation on life and the natural world. Marc Hamer reflects on his time as a mole catcher in the English countryside, while exploring themes of solitude, connection, and letting go. I’d also recommend his other book, Seed to Dust, which chronicles a full year (the chapters are organized from Jan-Dec) of his life as a gardener. If you’re a nature lover or know someone who is, either could be a great gift!
Final Thoughts…
Last November, on the drive from Parris Island to the airport after Cam’s boot camp graduation, we shared a little moment I think about often. Cam asked to listen to music since he hadn’t been able to for 13 weeks. Just then, John Denver’s Country Roads came on, and as we drove down a country road in Georgia, we all started singing together—windows down, hearts full of gratitude for being together again.
So, I’m trying to be more intentional about cultivating moments like that in my everyday life: small pockets of connection, grounding, and gratitude that help me appreciate what truly matters—whether that’s with loved ones or simply with myself and the world around me. That’s why yoga and meditation in my backyard, under the shade of my deck, have become one of my favorite new summer routines. There’s nothing more present and peaceful than moving through yoga, wrapped in a gentle summer breeze. If yoga outside isn’t already part of your routine, I highly recommend giving it a try. Some of my favorite online teachers are Yoga With Adriene, who offers practices organized by time and skill level, and for those looking for a bit more challenge, Lizette Pompa’s classes bring a strong flow that builds both strength and focus. All are free and available on YouTube.
So, if you catch me in child’s pose in my backyard or wandering a local field picking flowers or sitting at Walden, eyes closed, face lifted toward the sun, just know that I’m succeeding at my summer goals. And think about joining me! Happy July!
Sending Love,
Leonor
Leonor is a licensed ELA teacher, Director of the Hammett Ory Library at The Fenn School, and Moga (Mindfulness + Yoga) Practitioner. She is also the mother of three boys and has learned a whole lot from making mistakes and trying again.