Grace, not Perfection
Dear Center School Family,
I almost didn’t write this. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I wasn’t sure I had the capacity. This week—this month, really—has been a lot. You know that feeling when every email feels urgent, every to-do list item seems to multiply overnight, and even the simplest decisions feel impossibly heavy? That’s where I am right now.
I know I’m not alone in this. I see it in the tired eyes of parents at pickup, in the deep sighs of teachers juggling a thousand invisible tasks, in the caregivers tending to little ones with patience that’s wearing thin. I imagine many of you are feeling it, too—the weight of responsibilities, the never-ending juggle of work, home, kids, aging parents, the world’s constant stream of hard news.
It’s easy to think we should be handling it all better. That if we were just a little more organized, a little more rested, a little more together, we wouldn’t feel this way. But the truth is, sometimes life is simply overwhelming, and no amount of efficiency or willpower changes that.
So, what do we do?
Grace, Not Perfection
When we’re in the thick of it, the most important thing we can offer ourselves and each other is grace. Grace to step back when we need to. Grace to say “I need help.” Grace to show up imperfectly, knowing that’s enough.
At school, we talk to students about self-regulation, about recognizing when they need a break, about how it’s okay to ask for support. But how often do we, as adults, take our own advice? Do we allow ourselves to pause? Do we model for our kids that it’s okay to not have it all figured out?
Small Acts of Kindness (for Ourselves and Others)
When life feels overwhelming, big fixes feel out of reach. But small moments of care can be lifelines:
Drinking a full glass of water before diving into the next task.
Sitting in the car for an extra minute before heading into the next obligation.
Offering a kind word to the teacher, barista, or friend who might also be carrying more than they let on.
Letting go of something—an expectation, a commitment, a chore—that can wait.
We Hold This Together
One of the things I love about our school is that we are truly a community. It’s not just a word we throw around—we show up for each other in real, tangible ways. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Someone else is, too. And maybe, just maybe, we can all exhale a little together.
This is me, taking a deep breath. I hope you can, too.
With care,
Amanda Richard, Interim Co-Head of School